Molly and Diane Madore teamed up to tackle lifelong weight challenges and, together, have lost 163 pounds after choosing a noninvasive procedure called endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG).
Molly, 34, says she’s struggled with her weight for as long as she can remember. She tried salads, protein shakes and many diets over the years but found she repeatedly fell back into old habits. After trying GLP-1 injections and experiencing gastrointestinal side effects, she noticed a poster about ESG while working at a hospital and decided to learn more.
ESG is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure in which a flexible scope is used to place sutures inside the stomach, reducing its volume by roughly 70–80%. Because it reshapes the stomach from the inside, ESG doesn’t require incisions or the same recovery as surgical options. Ideal candidates are typically people with obesity — often those with a body mass index (BMI) in the 30–50 range — who want a nonsurgical option.
Molly began the process in mid-2024, secured insurance approval by November, and had ESG in December 2024. Her recovery was fast: she had the procedure on a Thursday and returned to work on Monday, managing discomfort with brief medications and a heating vest. Common short-term side effects can include nausea, abdominal discomfort, bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms, which generally resolve within 30 to 60 days.
Since her procedure, Molly has lost 86 pounds and now weighs about 146 pounds. She reports increased energy, better stamina and the ability to do daily activities that had grown difficult. Molly emphasizes that ESG is a tool — a starting point that works best when combined with lifestyle changes and the right mindset.
Inspired by her daughter’s results, Diane, 59, decided to have ESG as well. She had the procedure in September 2025 with the goal of reaching a healthier weight before turning 60. Diane lost 77 pounds, experienced a similarly quick recovery, and says the changes have been life-changing: greater strength, easier daily tasks and renewed confidence when shopping for clothes or doing physical chores.
The pair find value in going through the experience together. Molly can translate what she learned for her mother, and Diane appreciates having her daughter’s support and accountability as she adapts to new habits.
Experts note that medications like GLP-1s can be effective but sometimes cause side effects and may lead to weight regain once stopped. ESG offers a mechanical form of restriction that can promote satiety without long-term medication use, though it’s not the right choice for everyone. Other options for reducing stomach volume or promoting fullness include intragastric balloons and surgical sleeve gastrectomy; choosing among them should be done in consultation with a clinician, considering health, goals, availability and recovery expectations.
Molly and Diane now advocate for awareness of noninvasive weight-loss procedures like ESG. They stress that results vary and that a procedure does not replace healthy lifestyle habits, but for them it provided a crucial, sustainable boost. Their advice: consult a specialist, ask questions, and view any procedure as one element of a broader plan for long-term weight management and improved health.