divadev

Hello all. I had the Realize Band put it on 6/13 and have now lost approximately 17 lbs. A friend of a friend, who had bariartric surgery turned me on to obesity.com and that's how I found this website. I am rapidly approaching 60 years of age and could not take the weight off myself. I have probably gained and lost the weight of two people before this surgery, and this will be my last. My doc is very nice, but there is not a lot of communication so I find corresponding with people and reading these topics very helpful. I do have some questions for all of you out there: 1) When can you begin a regular exercise program, like Curves (this worked for me before, so I want to try it again) 2) When can you start to introduce fresh fruit and leafy greens into the diet? I'm allowed to begin eating regular food again this week, but the diet plan excludes fresh fruit and leafy greens and I have no idea why. 3) Can you ever have wine or other alcoholic beverages? 4) Do all doctors prohibity the consumption of fluids for an hour before meals and an hour after meals? Why is this? Thanks for all your postings and keep your fingers crossed that I am able to make the long journey with all of you.

Thanks for the good advice. I will learn to be patient.

It is very difficult to get in touch with the nurses at my surgeons office. They are very nice, and knowledgeable, but sound so harried, I hate to bother them for questions that don’t seem important in the grand scheme of things. But since you folks seem to think it is important, I have my second call into them now. In my lifetime, I have found that very often people going through a physical experience have good or better information than the medical professionals. I realize that everyone’s body is different, but it seems that the medical professionals are all over the map. A woman I spoke to locally who had the same program said she was told she could have “hard” starches (things that crunch, like triscuits) at 4 weeks out. I was told no breads rice or Pasta because they swell. I know that the fruit is high in carbs, but I really need some Fiber in my diet. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks for the answers to all my questions.

I pureed once. And then I heated it in the microwave. Not worth it. I shredded some chicken and put it in my chicken broth, but chewed really well. I'm now 3.5 weeks out, had the band tightened last week and am still doing okay with grilled chicken cutlets. I was interested to read that someone ate oatmeal. Is that okay?

I was banded June 13th and was VERY tired in the beginning. I found a chewable B complex vitamin which I take twice a day and that has helped. I also stopped buying the "instant breakfast" type smoothie drinks, and have switched to the powders that the weight lifters use - you can order from the Vitamin Shoppe, or get an GNC. They have more than just protein - an array of vitamins and minerals too. And I think that has helped. I also drink some of the Bolthouse farms smoothies - the ones that are high in protein - and they have fruit in them. You can get them at some of the supermarkets - Stop N Shop is one near me that has them. I'm still tired - probably because I'm up around 3 times a night to use the bathroom! Like everyone else says it passes.

My doctor was going to prescribe pepcid for me, but I was already on nexium for acid reflux. I had some gas, but it passed. My problem is BM's - I find it very hard to go. Anyone have this problem? I was banded 6/13