Good evening all! I was thinking that we should start a thread on this forum where we post an update on our progress, challenges, frustrations, or just a place for us to unload about anything we want to while on this unique journey. There aren’t many esg people out there compared to the other WLS so I thought that this particular thread could help us bond together. To be honest I feel so close to so many of you that I really want to keep that relationship for as long as possible. So even if you are preop I want us each to post an update on how their week has progressed. Please write whatever you felt was important about your week pre or post esg. It could be a that you’ve moved on to solids or you’ve lost a nice amount of weight for that week or you really struggled or perhaps you are starting to revert back to the old habits that got us here in the first place. Let’s try and update every Monday starting on December 4, 2017. My hope is we will become more accountable for our food choices and possibly stop any member from falling off track. Let us all make a commitment to one another and post our week’s successes and failures. If we had a successful week then we can guide others to do the same. If we’ve had a bad week then perhaps posting it will get us back on track. I know by now most of you are hating my long posts, lol, ?? but I think if we stick to posting our progress or lack of at least once a week we can minimize failure and encourage one another. Come on gang I hope you are all with me ??????

I’ll post Monday although I’m in the preop stage. I’ll post about whatever things I’m worried about leading to my esg or something I discovered about it for the week. Looking forward to reading all of the updates every Monday on this thread. We can do this!!!!

4 hours ago, patriciaholland said:

hello nu friends sorrie yeserday wasnt a Good day bit 48hours later already feeling beter i sleep alot eat on time thnx 4 youre support xxxxxxxxx

Glad you are feeling better! It's all worth it

hai all really feeling more like meself now. Little pain on the left

Sent from my SM-G935F using BariatricPal mobile app

but everyday is better lost 6.5 kilo so im happy

Sent from my SM-G935F using BariatricPal mobile app

2 hours ago, patriciaholland said:

but everyday is better lost 6.5 kilo so im happy

Sent from my SM-G935F using BariatricPal mobile app

That’s fantastic Patricia! The pain will go away. It’s likely gas so try to walk around as much as you can. It will dissipate. Keep it up!

Hi everyone! Time for an update.

In less than a week, I will hit 5 months since my Nov 8th procedure. This has been the best decision I have ever made.

When I weighed myself Sunday I hit the 30lb mark and inched in to the 120s at 129. Yay! It’s slow going now maybe a pound every week to two weeks as I near my goal

in terms of eating I can def see that I can eat more so I have to be careful. I weigh in everything that I can to stay honest and keep a food diary in. MyFitnessPal. I Would like to feel more restriction like in the early days but it is what it is.

My biggest suggestion for those just starting out is what my doctor told me… Take advantage of the early days of restrictive eating with liquids, and limited amounts of food.

for those halfway through don’t buy too many new clothes because they will be too big in a few months. ?

And for those pre-procedure. I’m excited for you!

AmyA

3 hours ago, patriciaholland said:

but everyday is better lost 6.5 kilo so im happy

Sent from my SM-G935F using BariatricPal mobile app

Congrats for the impressive loss. Wonderful. How exciting for you. Keep up the good work!!

1 hour ago, AmyAlexis said:

Hi everyone! Time for an update.

In less than a week, I will hit 5 months since my Nov 8th procedure. This has been the best decision I have ever made.

When I weighed myself Sunday I hit the 30lb mark and inched in to the 120s at 129. Yay! It’s slow going now maybe a pound every week to two weeks as I near my goal

in terms of eating I can def see that I can eat more so I have to be careful. I weigh in everything that I can to stay honest and keep a food diary in. MyFitnessPal. I Would like to feel more restriction like in the early days but it is what it is.

My biggest suggestion for those just starting out is what my doctor told me… Take advantage of the early days of restrictive eating with liquids, and limited amounts of food.

for those halfway through don’t buy too many new clothes because they will be too big in a few months. ?

And for those pre-procedure. I’m excited for you!

AmyA

Great job Amy. Excellent results. Things are moving slowly for me now as well but I try to keep in mind that I would be a much higher weight without this procedure right now. I’m keeping positive and fighting for every pound that is coming off. I can’t wait to reach goal and just be in maintenance. It took you five months so I’m not discouraged only being 7 weeks out. I still do feel restriction but you’re right not as much as the first few weeks. At this point it’s a mental game and trying to stick to what my nutritionist has told me.

Congratulations on your weight loss!!

Patricia, how do you feel today? I hope much better!

On the topic of feeling better, I have a question. I will be scheduling my ESG soon. The best date would mean that 6 days later I would be chairing a fairly large conference. While not physically strenuous, I will be speaking throughout/need to pay attention, etc. For those who have been through this, would I be crazy to have the ESG so close to the event?

And one more question - since I have to travel, I think I will go by myself and use the nursing services available through the program. Will that be enough support for the first day after the procedure?

Many, many thanks to everyone for responding - it really is great to hear from those who have been through this.

On 3/28/2018 at 10:25 AM, MomInCanada said:

Patricia, how do you feel today? I hope much better!

On the topic of feeling better, I have a question. I will be scheduling my ESG soon. The best date would mean that 6 days later I would be chairing a fairly large conference. While not physically strenuous, I will be speaking throughout/need to pay attention, etc. For those who have been through this, would I be crazy to have the ESG so close to the event?

And one more question - since I have to travel, I think I will go by myself and use the nursing services available through the program. Will that be enough support for the first day after the procedure?

Many, many thanks to everyone for responding - it really is great to hear from those who have been through this.

Hi there. I can only answer you on this drawing from my own experience, although my thoughts are that if you take all the meds your doctor prescribes and follow his/her instructions you should have the same experience. The procedure itself is reasonably short. I was in at 7AM and was home before noon. I did not experience any nausea and as for pain, I did feel some right after I woke up in the hospital which taking one Percocet resolved right away. Keep in mind I took all the meds prescribed to me the morning of before the procedure including a very powerful anti nausea med they give to cancer patients. So even the day of the procedure and right after I was fine considering. I felt a bit tired of course and slept a lot the rest of the day. The next day I felt ok but still tired. I still took the meds for nausea and pain the 2nd day as a precaution so I wouldn’t have any issues. By the 3rd day I was fine. I didn’t take any meds and was almost 100%. So, in my opinion 6 days later you should be fine to chair an event. As for travel and the nursing services I think you’ll be fine as well. The day of and next day were not so bad for me and I didn’t have any real help except for my children, all quite young ranging from 19 to 11 and my husband asking if I were ok.

Everyone is different but I’m sharing with you my experience and I hope you have a smooth one as well. Good luck!

Hi Hope4momof4! Thanks so much for your response - it was really helpful. Really good tip to take all of the meds. Will keep posting as I work toward this and hopefully can start GIVING advice rather than just ASKING!

52 minutes ago, MomInCanada said:

Hi Hope4momof4! Thanks so much for your response - it was really helpful. Really good tip to take all of the meds. Will keep posting as I work toward this and hopefully can start GIVING advice rather than just ASKING!

Of course dear, this is what we are here for. Every one of us started out asking questions and inquiring. That is the smart way to go through this process. Best of luck and please keep us updated.

Hello everyone! I am new here. I’m usually strong and independent, but today I feel like I can use some encouragement. I had ESG on 2/12/18. I’m 5’9, and my starting weight was 225 lbs. One week post-op, I weighed in at 216 lbs. Today is day 40, and I’m still at 216 lbs. Overall, that’s a consistent 9 lbs from liquid phase to 40 days out. I am extremely frustrated and discouraged. I feel like I made a huge mistake having this surgery. I was so hopeful beforehand, and now I’m ready to give up. I’m regretting choosing ESG over LSG. My mind is telling me I would have had much better results.

Now, just to be totally transparent and honest, I have gone off the rails a few times due to travel and attending two family functions. I wouldn’t say I was extreme in what I ate. For the most part, I plan and cook my meals and travel with what I’m supposed to eat. What is going on? Should I schedule LSG? The next option is adding in medications, which I want to avoid. Any advice is much appreciated.

4 hours ago, Grimzy1213 said:

Hello everyone! I am new here. I’m usually strong and independent, but today I feel like I can use some encouragement. I had ESG on 2/12/18. I’m 5’9, and my starting weight was 225 lbs. One week post-op, I weighed in at 216 lbs. Today is day 40, and I’m still at 216 lbs. Overall, that’s a consistent 9 lbs from liquid phase to 40 days out. I am extremely frustrated and discouraged. I feel like I made a huge mistake having this surgery. I was so hopeful beforehand, and now I’m ready to give up. I’m regretting choosing ESG over LSG. My mind is telling me I would have had much better results.

Now, just to be totally transparent and honest, I have gone off the rails a few times due to travel and attending two family functions. I wouldn’t say I was extreme in what I ate. For the most part, I plan and cook my meals and travel with what I’m supposed to eat. What is going on? Should I schedule LSG? The next option is adding in medications, which I want to avoid. Any advice is much appreciated.

Wow! You are basically telling my story. I thought I was the only one!! I was just like you so hopeful and motivated that this would be the answer to my weight problem. I , like you, lost only 11-12 pounds, (maybe less not completely sure of my exact starting weight) in the first week or two and then nothing. I’ve been the same weight for over 6 weeks. I had my ESG on 2/6 so I’m even further post op than you. I’m having the same feelings. I’m frustrated because at this point I’m disappointed in myself and feel like I wasted $10,000. I didn’t feel this way in the beginning or preop. I was so excited and hopeful, heck I started this topic!!??.

I’d love to give you advice on what we should do but I’m sorry I don’t have any. It may console you a little to know that you are not the only one. I’d love to keep in touch with you for perhaps some support. Should we look into revision? Do you go to a nutritionist every month? I go to my nutritionist every month and she seems to think that I’m fine losing very, very slowly. All she recommends is that I log everything I eat and up my exercise. I’m with you dear very frustrated!

I’m hoping others further postop can chime in and give us real advice or comfort.

Hi Grimzy,

I have not had ESG yet (I had my consult and I'm approved, so my next step is to schedule it) so I don't have any advice as someone who has gone through the process, BUT I think I know a thing or two about the frustration of not losing weight, so I wanted to send some thoughts.

This may be something you considered but have you looked at how clothes are fitting/measurements because you may have lost but the scale may not be moving. Second, I have done a lot of research and the main thing I keep reading is to eat slow and really watch out for when you're full - so often our heads tell us to keep eating and you may be eating more than you think you are. Lots of people on this forum talk about water consumption, so that may be something to look out for? Finally, maybe consider taking a break from the scale, going back to basics on what you are eating (ie - look at the diet the doctor gave you and being strict) and see if your head isn't getting in the way. Can you tell that I have been talking to a counsellor about emotional eating? It has been eye opening (and at times, really uncomfortable) and I highly, highly recommend it. That may be something you consider moving forward, if it didn't come with your procedure. On that note, do you mind sharing who did the procedure? I am going to have mine done by Dr. Marvin out of Houston, who has the most information on the procedure, diet, etc. posted online of anyone that I found (I'm sure that many other centres give lots of information to their patients, but I was impressed that Dr. Marvin has all of the information available to the public). There is a very good outline of what to eat, etc. that may give you some ideas.

Here's some things to keep in mind: while an expensive undertaking, and hasn't (yet) given you the results you hoped for, I bet that you are eating healthier foods and are more mindful of what you eat. Think about how you will feel a year from now with those changes. With some time, you may find that the weight comes off slowly BUT it will probably stay off, because you have been mindful and made lasting changes.

I wish you all the best!

Hi Everyone,

So after a 4 week vacation, I gained 4 kg!!!! Damn.

Its been interesting reading the updates and I totally hear those of you that feel disappointed in your. restriction and weightloss results.

I am also feeling in a bit of a slump and was really hoping that I would be unable to eat big meals post esg but I have to say my restriction is minimal and again it becomes a mental game of sticking to a diet. I was hoping to never diet again.

For me, I am finding it hard to wean off the snack foods and get back into exercise. I know I need to recommit to healthy eating otherwise the 4kg gain could easily turn into 14.

Wishing you all lots of luck to reach your weightloss goals.

Mel x