Red Ginger

I am 64 years young and waited way too long to have GSVS done!  I wish I would have done it much younger.
I have been overweight for several years yet remained active up until my last few years.  I have a small waist but very large hips, thighs & legs. In my top I can wear an XL yet my bottom is a size 22+ and it is impossible to find pants that I can wear that will fit around my knees. Over the last couple years I have had issues with walking and my ankles and knees ache.  I was diagnosed with  Lymphedema, Lipoedema and Venous Insufficiency & Osteoarthritis.    My Vascular surgeon recommended Gastric Sleeve surgery  in October of 2018 to try to lose some weight and see if it would make a difference on my legs.  I started my journey at my heaviest weight of 326 lbs  in October of 2018. Over the year waiting and learning about my surgery I managed to lose 29 lbs. and that was a struggle, I can do very little exercise so it was calorie counting off and on until surgery day September 27th 2019.  Day of surgery I weighed in at 297. I am now 7 weeks post surgery and my weight is right at 280.  It has been slow to drop, but it is dropping.  I was getting really frustrated as I had read blogs where people were losing massive amounts of weight in the weeks that followed surgery so I was getting depressed.  At my 6 week follow up last week I had talked to my surgeon and am feeling much better.  He said I am right where I need to be and to quit comparing myself to others.  I do have to say I feel Much better mentally.  I have had several friends tell me I look like I'm losing weight and look great.  Most do not know I have had surgery just family and very close friends know.  I see a huge change when I look in the mirror especially my face and shoulders.  My bottom half has gotten smaller for sure, I really notice I do not have the butt shelf (I am sure a lot of you know what that is)  is no longer there and my hips have gone down quite a bit and this with less than 50 lbs! I am hoping to be able to find a pair of jeans that will fit me at some point as it is getting cold here. 
I have not had any issues with foods that I cannot eat.  So far I have had NO problems or complications.  I am never hungry but I was never hungry before either,  just sat on my butt and did not get any exercise, not much has changed except that I am eating small portions. I am wanting to get more active but am really having issues with my knees and feet.  I see my GP tomorrow in hopes she can help with suggestions, which in the past has only recommended me to lose weight, NOT helpful.     I keep thinking I need to speed up my metabolism somehow.  Not sure if anyone has any suggestions??? 
I am hopeful for the coming year to see how this helps me.