Hi everyone. I have read all of the various topics on ESG and have really appreciated all of the information. I have a phone consultation on Monday and still have some questions, so if anyone is willing to send some input I would really appreciate it!

Some background: I live in Canada and ESG isn't offered here (and I don't qualify for any other surgery in Canada) so I am going to head to the US and pay out of pocket. I am speaking with Dr. Marvin of Houston Surgical - I was very impressed with their program and it seems like he has a lot of experience. I would like to lose about 50 pounds but would be content between 30-40.

Here is what I cannot wrap my head around: if ESG reduces the stomach and you continue to only take in a very limited amount of calories, why does weight loss stall/stop around 18-20% (according to the info I have read? Any thoughts?

I have reviewed the post-procedure diet, which seems eminently manageable; however, on some of the posts I have read that people follow a ketosis diet. Has this been recommended to anyone?

Finally, my plan is to tell my husband only. I think I can work around the "liquid/pureed" period of time, but I need to come up with an explanation to others on why I am eating so much less than before (AND, probably more frequently, explain why I drink less wine!). Does anyone have any great explanations other than: I'm really watching my portions and being more mindful?

Thank you to anyone who answers - I'm very grateful. If you have any other unrelated tips, I welcome those too!

Hey MominCanada, welcome and thanks for sharing. I had an ESG in November last year in Houston. I checked out Dr. Marvin and was confident in him, you should have a good experience.

Stalls, great question, we all have them and there is usually more than one in my experience. It's a large change that our bodies are going though and each body reacts differently, it's not a linear process. I had a stall for 10 days where I didn't lose any weight, gained 1 pound and then afterwards in 2-3 days lost 3 pounds. Difficult for me as an engineer to explain. Water consumption and keeping it high seems to have something to do with it, see several recent posts in ESG forum. A number of us have had stalls, gone back and increased our water intake back >60-80 ounces per day and continued to lose weight.

I have a goal >> than 20% weight loss and am about half way there. I would encourage you to discuss your goals clearly with Dr. Marvin and ask his opinion with your specific body size/shape and goal is ESG the best way to go. I had this same discussion with my Dr. and concluded VSG or ESG would work (I did not want something temporary like balloons) and eventually chose ESG due to the simpler procedure and quicker recovery time.

My diet is very similar to a ketosis diet (only smaller portions) and when I have my blood checked I am deep into ketosis. Typically eating 2 eggs in AM, 3 ounces of protein at lunch and dinner with 1/4 cup green vegetables and 1/4 cup brown rice or pasta. I will do a yogurt for snack in AM and sugar free chocolate pudding for snack in PM. Total 800-1000 calories/day. When I spoke with the dietician we agreed this was very similar to a keto diet.

I have the same approach with sharing, other than my wife not talking about procedure with others. I have told them I'm working with a doctor on a very strict diet, with blood monitoring, etc. Diet is focused on on lean proteins and similar to keto approach. So far so good on that front.

Keep the questions coming, we're here to help! Please keep sharing it can help so many others!

Tex

Hi there MomInCanada! Welcome to the ESG forum or I should say family because we consider each other family in many ways in terms of the support, guidance you'll receive from the best people.

To answer your first concern, I honestly believe that the surgeon who does the ESG procedure does matter a lot. I had mine in NJ and one of the reasons I choose my surgeon (Dr. Sadek) was because of his experience with this procedure and the number of ESGs he had performed. I can tell you that Dr. Marvin has had excellent reviews from many on this forum as well as the Facebook group that I am on which you should check out. Once you're in the Facebook group (Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty USA) type in his name in the search and many results will come up. I know that he has performed many and was trained by Dr. Sharairah herself who pioneered this procedure. I read a study about how a surgeon who performs ESG will get better and perfect his technique the more he has performed. My surgeon explained to me that his first few ESGs were done a certain way in terms of stitching and when he figured out a better way to improve the stitching pattern he got better results. He also told me that of the approximately 50-60 ESGs he's performed he has only had to revise two which were two of his first ESGs.

Your second concern, privacy about the procedure, I have only told my husband as well. I have 4 boys who range from 19-11 years old and they did not even bat an eye or suspect I had any procedure done at all. This is why: Your recovery is very minimal, of course each person is different but a smooth and painless recovery is usually the norm. Just make sure to take all the meds the doctor prescribes for you and by the third day post op you will feel almost 100%. I often tell this story on this forum and to the facebook group--- After I came home from the procedure, same day of course, (went in at 7AM and was done and awake and ready to go home by 11AM) I did a load of laundry!!! If you are concerned about others wondering why you are eating so little, I'll tell you this--- most people don't pay attention as much as you think. Those that may venture to ask you, the answer should be simple-- I'm watching what I eat because I'm trying to get healthy. If you were anything like I was pre op then most of your close friends and family would be used to you on another diet.

Good luck and please keep us posted!!!!

TexSlim and Hope4mom - thank you so much for your responses! I truly appreciate your input and suggestions. My phone consultation with Dr. Marvin had to be rescheduled because he's in the OR, so I'm hoping for a new consult soon. Once I have it, I will post any answers to my questions (and others - I have LOTS of questions) to help anyone else out there contemplating this procedure. When the office emailed to say that the consult had to be rescheduled I was disappointed, which I am taking as a sign that I really am ready for this.

Thanks again - what a great forum we all have to share information and inspiration. How lucky are we to have it!