Barbara lost 31 pounds and found the support she needed after ESG

My struggle with weight has been going on since I was probably about 14. Before that, I was like a little beanpole. Through a few different things that went on, my weight doubled within a year.

I have tried so many different programs — Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, eating only meat, eating only at certain hours. Nothing worked. I’ve tried the shots. I’ve tried pills. I think there’s a whole connection with mind and body that weight loss has. The big difference here is that this procedure helped me to do the process — and then helped connect the mind.

The moment that changed everything happened at a friend’s wedding. I was standing next to her, and someone took a picture. I saw the picture and said, “I have to do something.” I talked to my husband: “I’m going to go down to Mexico and have them cut out my stomach — I’ve got to do something.”

Once I did my research, I didn’t want anything so drastic, and I definitely didn’t want to go to another country. That was scary in itself. And once I did more research, I found Everself.

I walked in at six o’clock in the morning, and by noon I was already in my hotel room. It was not so invasive — and it allowed me to have some kind of support. From the first person who took my appointment, to the nurses, to the dietitian — everyone was so helpful. That’s what made me feel so comfortable. I knew this was the way I wanted to go.

My dietitian is wonderful. When I spoke to her, she took the time to listen to me. She took the time to understand what I was saying. And even when I said, “I know the food part — I need more help,” she said, “We’re partnering with therapy sessions. Let’s get someone in who can speak to you from that point.”

Procedure day — you walk in at six o’clock in the morning, they take you into the back, and they prep you so you know what you’re walking into. The doctor came in beforehand and explained everything. And the next thing I knew, I woke up and it was done. “Is it all over?” It was quick. It was efficient. The people are super friendly. You’re in and out faster than you could imagine.

In a little over three months, I’ve lost 31 pounds. And what’s really important to know is this: this is not the magic pill. This is not the be-all, do-all. This is a procedure and a tool. Could I have lost more? Probably. But what I love is I’m 31 pounds down, and my dietitian has never made me feel pushed. It is okay.

There’s also a Facebook group that is fantastic — we encourage each other and have those conversations. And I think that’s the thing — “Everself.” Even in the name. That means what you are doing with yourself, what decision you are making. The 31 pounds has been my first step. I can’t wait to see what happens in three months. I can’t wait to see what happens next year when I celebrate my one-year anniversary.

I’ve always had confidence, but now it’s like — you know when you go into a store and you buy something, and the package is really pretty, and you open it up and it’s not what you thought? I love that my package is kind of matching what’s on the inside.

Take your measurements. Have something you want to fit into. Have before pictures to compare — because when you start to see those things, you’ll realize that 31 pounds is a number, but what you get is so much more.

If you are tired, if you’ve tried everything else, if you are depressed, if you’ve had a tough weekend and you look in the mirror and think nothing will work — try Everself. Go into it with the determination that you are ready. Know that it’s not going to be one-size-fits-all. It’s not going to fix everything. But it is going to be a tool to help you move through your life. Your beauty is there — but sometimes we cover it up with the weight.

I had a different doctor lined up before. I even put a deposit down — and I lost it. Because when I found Everself, I said, “This is home for me.” And they really have made it feel like home.

Call. Talk to someone. Because once you speak to someone, that makes a difference.