Melisa’s Struggle with Emotional Eating
From a young age, Melisa turned to food as comfort, especially while taking on a caregiver role for her disabled sister. When she tragically lost a son in 1992, food became an even greater emotional crutch.
“I’ve struggled with my weight my whole life,” Melisa admits. “I was an emotional eater, and every time life got tough, I turned to food.”
Things reached a breaking point in 2019. Melisa’s mother was dying and one of her sons was diagnosed with cancer. The stress, heartbreak, and anxiety led her to comfort eat and drink even more. Her weight reached 257 pounds. Despite attempting countless diets – Octavia, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, even GLP-1 medications – nothing provided lasting results. She would lose 45-60 pounds, only to regain them. The cycle felt endless.
Why She Chose ESG-MAX® Over Other Weight Loss Options
Melisa was feeling low. “I was desperate,” she says. “I felt terrible, depressed, had poor self-esteem. By this point, I thought I had tried everything. My knees hurt, my back hurt, and I was pre-diabetic. I knew I had to make a change.”
Melisa had previously considered having a weight loss procedure but never felt ready to make the investment. That changed when she noticed a Facebook pop-up about ESG-MAX®.
“I knew I needed something that wouldn’t require months off work or put me at risk for major complications,” Melisa says. “GLP-1 medications were too expensive and didn’t work once you stopped taking them. And I’d seen firsthand how difficult recovery from bariatric surgery could be. ESG-MAX® was the perfect balance – it was minimally invasive, had a short recovery time, and gave me the lasting results I was looking for.”
Melisa researched the procedure, watched a video of Dr. Christopher McGowan performing it online, and scheduled a consultation. She was drawn to ESG-MAX® because it is minimally invasive, requires little downtime, and doesn’t come with the risks of gastric bypass or similar surgeries.
“I’d seen horror stories from traditional weight loss surgeries – nutrient deficiencies, complications, people gaining all the weight back. I didn’t want that,” she explains. “ESG-MAX® is different and felt like the right tool for me.”
The ESG MAX® Procedure and Recovery
On April 4, 2024, Melisa underwent ESG-MAX®. The day of the procedure went smoothly.
“My husband and I drove an hour to the clinic. I was nervous, but the staff was amazing. After the procedure, I don’t remember much, but I just knew – this was the start of something different.”
Recovery was quick – she was back at home that night and took only 1-2 days off work.
As she adjusted to her new lifestyle, Dr. McGowan and his team were there to support her on her journey.
“I never felt alone in this process. From my first consultation to every follow-up appointment, Dr. McGowan and his team have been there, encouraging me and answering my questions,” says Melisa. “He is so personable and even made himself available through text. Knowing I could call or message him following the procedure relieved my anxiety. I feel like Dr. McGowan and his team genuinely care about my success, and that has made all the difference.”
Melisa’s dietitian also played a crucial role in her transformation. “The nutritional support I received was amazing. My dietitian didn’t just give me a meal plan – she educated me. She provided reading materials and resources that helped me understand what my body truly needed. She taught me how to balance protein, carbs, and fiber to fuel my progress and maintain my energy. Her guidance made all the difference.”
She also appreciated the convenience of the True You aftercare process. “I was able to have follow-up appointments on Zoom, which made it easy to stay on top of my care without having to take time off work,” Melisa shares. “The convenience of virtual check-ins meant I could maintain my health while keeping up with my other responsibilities.”
