learn2cook

I don’t have ESG. I’m in Boston and only some places offer it because insurance doesn’t cover it. The average cost is 11k. The average weight loss after a year is 10-20% (Johns Hopkins quote). You might want to do more hard core research before shelling out that kind of money for low results especially after your recent problems with the balloon. P.S. there’s different forums on here based on specific procedures if that helps.

For some reason “Janet Witness” was so funny! Thanks for making me laugh. I’ve had luck with them too lol.

All the above posters have shared many useful activities I have enjoyed that work. My latest has been to get a rowing machine from Amazon. There’s many kinds and price points. I picked a magnetic one so I’m quiet. I started dancing around with more upper body movements in my house during lockdowns. My son called it “flopping around “ but it worked and was a good starting point. I just did one or two songs every hour, short bursts.

I’m not sure there’s any benefits. It’s personal taste and calories you can spare. You can technically eat anything as a snack. Sometimes I have a Two Guys cookie, or a real cookie. You’re going to have to weigh risks and benefits of getting hooked on certain processed foods. Thankfully most days I choose a handful of almonds.

Congratulations!

As an asthmatic I feel for you. I had the same problem after surgery and it might be a reaction to anesthesia. I went to my ER after calling my asthma doctor. I was awake all night (as I would have been at home). I was exposed to freezing indoor temperatures (because it reduces virus spreading). There were a battery of tests that were very painful to determine if I didn’t have a lung embolism. Then they gave me a shot in the arm of steroids to help my lungs breathe. My original surgeon had gone out of the US and wasn’t a specialist in asthma anyway. Everyone was afraid it was an blood clot or embolism. No one wanted to give steroids because it hinders healing. If you’re a regular asthmatic, you may want to keep your all nighters with the nebulizer until Monday when the good doctors are back in office. Or, if you know you are in the weeds bad, just to to the ER. If you’re not asthmatic, go to the ER, because breathing is serious! Let us know how this turns out, prayers.

Like the posts on here I go back and forth on this. I have imbibed. I do dump so hard liquor and wine hit me harder with sugar so then I feel it within 10 minutes then crash. The extra calories to counter the crash kill the buzz. Like 3 sips and I’m done. But beer is friendlier. I do enjoy nursing a good microbrew with a handful of almond or one ounce of cheese. It works for me for camping and baseball games and fun outings. I try to keep it for a once a month thing and have only one or two beers. I have been dallying with pot edibles too. (Can’t smoke due to asthma) One or 1/2 a gummy or taffy keeps a mellow vibe for 4 hours and I save them for special occasions and arthritis and pain relief. There’s less calories and dumping and a longer chill time. P.S. UP was my favorite place camping last summer!!!

Congratulations!

As a woman in my 50’s it’s hard getting out there and making new friends never mind dating. That said, yes I’m dating and making friends. I made a promise to myself during COVID lockdowns that I would make and keep friends with intent and discernment. I date women and men and everyone in between, so yes there’s lots of dating but few people with kindness and calmness who are near my age, actually single, and don’t have mommy issues. I’m focusing more on friendships now. There’s lots of dates, but friends are gold!

I wish I could still run, but my joints are too far gone for it anymore. I love walking with a weighted backpack (to get my heart rate up enough). I love the rowing machine and indoor bike with audio books or online classes for continuing education (teachers are always learning). I hike and canoe and play field games all summer at the day camp I work at. I’ve been lifting weights for 20+ years, but to be honest it’s to keep up with the 20 yr old coworkers lol. I’m thinking of getting into ping pong because I see people of all ages competing and staying active and social with it. I’ve gone through dancing and yoga phases. I like to be curious and try new things. Like others have said, you really have to enjoy what you’re doing to make it your “thing.”

I looked at my journal from my 6th month time. My weight loss slowed significantly. I kept loosing but I was lucky if it was 4 lbs every other month. Stalls and plateaus were more common than actual WL. I just kept to my original plan and weight kept coming off even past the 2year mark. Instead of my scale obsession, I started measuring inches/centimeters and thrifting highly structured clothing made out of thick denim and leather to see my progress. A stiff pair of jeans with no stretch can show true WL because they get too big. I find they keep me honest with myself in maintenance too ; j

I’ve only ever seen an old video on YouTube. Besides being on here, I’m part of a post-surgical WL group through my dietitian, nobody has had that issue, or knows someone who had that problem.

Yes, I had back pain due to reasons the above posters said. I went to yoga for a year to help with the transition. I needed to tuck my but under my spine more and drop my shoulders down and back. I noticed the swing of my arms and legs changed. All of it was building new muscles and increasing range of motion. The floppy skin was even moving to a different tempo than the rest of me and I had to learn how to accommodate that! Side note; when I had Covid they x-rayed my lungs to check for pneumonia. They then told me I have significant arthritis in my spine. The pain there reduced significantly with stretching and strengthening exercises.

If you find food getting stuck at the 4 month mark then reach out to your doctor. There could be something wrong going on. Before that point keep taking small bites, chewing thoroughly, and using sauces to help the slide. If you had GERD before surgery it takes time to heal. If you have GERD afterwards talk with your doctor sooner, like today.

Congratulations!