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@@Adina's_Journey Thanks for asking this question... it's something I've been thinking about lately myself.

When I lost a bunch on Atkins, I got to the point of saying "clean living and these pills I found in the couch" because of the judging.

Hi All-- I'm going to head to a seminar to maybe get started on the process. I have two options: Park Nicollet and HealthEast. Both have very good reputations. Any Minneapolis-St. Paul folks care to weigh in on their experiences? Park Nicollet is in the health system I get my care from (HealthPartners), but my primary doctor really likes one of the surgeons at HealthEast, despite referring me to Park Nicollet because it's in-system. The cost to me is the same. FWIW, I got a better vibe about HealthEast, but that's just based on the two websites.. I'm going to go to their seminar on Feb 5 I think. Anyone have opinions? Thanks!

If it's anything like my fitbit, it's tracking how many calories you burn in a day, which includes what you burn by just existing (I can't remember the term for that). For example, I've burned 3300 calories so far today, and about 350 of that was from exercise.

@@borg/assimilated & @@Djmohr Thanks so much for your feedback! Sounds like both programs are evenly matched, which is what I suspected.

@@Sophie74656 - have you found a song yet? I have some stuff if you're interested.

One last post for the evening... Are there any professional musicians out here, most notably singers? I sing professionally on the side, and have a degree in music. I'm aware of a few singers who've had RNY (John Popper, Deborah Voigt), but I was hoping there was someone around who'd actually talk to a nobody in "the biz"

Hi Everyone Congrats to all of you who are post-op. I'm still in the process of making the decision of having surgery. I have a few questions, hope you all don't mind. The one at the top of my mind currently is aimed at the longer term folks. I've seen lots of good stuff from people in the short-to-medium term having lots of success. The best I ever did with non-surgical weight loss was atkins, which I managed to hang onto for about 2.5 years, before I started varying. I'd love to hear from people 5-10 years out on what struggles they've had, and what they did to overcome them. Thanks much!

Dunno if this helps, but ... a family member just had surgery for another condition this summer, and was scared of the anesthetic. The anesthesiologist and the nurse anesthetist provided a great stat: You're more likely to have a car accident on the way to the hospital than have complications due to the anesthesia. I drove this family member to the hospital for a bunch of preop, op, and postop visits/procedures and we didn't have a single accident

You took it off in your sleep I woke up a few times when I dropped it on the floor, and one time I woke up with it in my hand. It's definitely hard... I'm not looking forward to my next mask because they're starting to not make the one I have. And if this one doesn't ever feel right, make your technician try a different one. You'll get used to it. Just make sure you order the supplies regularly... I waited too long on my last mask and I didn't realize how bad it had gotten.

I've had a CPAP for 15 years (I can't believe that as I look at it!). Once you get used to it, you'll wonder why you didn't have the sleep study years ago. I stop breathing 66 times an hour, so pretty much I don't get sleep if I don't use it. Most people who have apnea don't realize it. It's a very dangerous condition, because you're only sleeping for a couple of hours a night, and you've quite frankly forgotten what a good night of sleep feels like. I distinctly remember them coming into the room and putting a CPAP on my for my last two hours of sleep. I slept so well I didn't want to get out of bed! I recommend, if insurance will cover it, to get an auto-titrating machine . It automatically adjusts your pressure as you sleep. Since you will be losing a large amount of your weight, it will save you on having to go in and get your machine adjusted. On a humorous note, my wife calls it "our little marriage saver" since quite frankly my snoring peels paint without it.

Good luck!

Having dealt with a hospital this summer (my wife had a surgical procedure), make sure to hold their feet to the fire. If they say they're going to call you in 3-5 days, give them a jingle in day 4 just to check in, and then during day 5 call them a couple of times. Always be friendly; they understand and expect the anxiety and anticipation around surgery. As long as you aren't rude, they won't be. Two out of the three surgeries my wife had required me calling around because they said they were going to call 24h before surgery, but had I not called, she probably would be still waiting.

Hi... I hope this is the best place to introduce myself. I'm new to all of this stuff still, although I've been thinking about it since March or April. I'm in the research stage, although hopefully coming to the end of it soon. I've been reading here, various clinic sites, studies, etc so that I'm as informed as I can be. I've struggled with weight for my whole life... I was an Atkins success story around 2008, but that quickly turned to a nightmare turning the 120 I lost into a 160 gain. I hit rock bottom a couple of summers ago being diagnosed with type II and blood pressure so high they almost called the squad. The type II diagnosis scared the hell out of me... I have a family member who is so type II they have an insulin pump and eat what they want. That kicked me into gear and I started eating better and exercising. I was down 60, but I've put some of that back on due to several stressors in my life. My diabetes is largely managed. My doc was happy with my progress, but I've not had much lasting success on the weight loss front. I made an off-handed comment to him "now if I can only get the weight off". His response was "Have you considered surgery?" Needless to say, after another couple of talks with him, here I am. I'm leaning towards surgery... on paper it all makes sense. I just am trying to figure out if I'm trading one set of problems for a different set that are more difficult for me. I also feel a bit like I'm cheating... that I'm taking the easy way out. I know it's not, and that it's a lot of work. Well, anyway, here I am, looking forward talking with everyone.

I've got some issues myself (pretty significant depression and anxiety), and the second person I talked to was my therapist. She's really helping me a lot with the decision. So like what others have said... talk to your docs.

Research has really helped allay my fears. I'm still kind of afraid of it all... but like you, the changes I've made in the past have not resulted in lasting success. I've read a lot of good stuff here.

Good luck! I hope it helps you.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and for all the encouraging words. And... @@WLSResources/ClothingExch - Don't worry... it's just the battle that goes on inside my mind between logic and emotion . Working out going to the seminar

What Frankie's girl said. I never was asked to buy a seat and I used to travel for a living. The seatbelt extender is a nerve-wracking thing to ask for, but the flight crew will be very good with you. Good luck on the surgery.