Questions for small eaters before lap band surgery

[Joleen 3]

I am getting ready to have surgery 3/28 and have questions for small eaters. I have been gaining weight for the past 6 years despite eating a healthy diet and not over eating. My husband and I do go out to eat once a week, but I do not over eat. My normal day usually consist of a yogurt for Breakfast, a pack of tuna and soy crackers, or salad with vinegarette dressing, dinner is usually fish or chicken with rice and veggies. Of course we get cravings for the occasionally ice cream out, but we do not eat dessert out and we do not keep junk foods in the house. I need to get to the YMCA more often. I know Im not exercising enough. I also take synthroid for my thyroid. I don't drink soda's only water!

Has anyone else had success with weight loss in my situation? I told my doctor I was worried and he told me I was the perfect candidate. I am just nervous I might not loose weight with this either! I will drink liquids forever if I have too.

Thanks,

Joleen

[Cocoabean 430]

Have you ever tracked your food or worked with a nutritionist to determine how many calories you are eating? Are your thyroid levels normal?

What you describe is about what I eat in a day (depending on how big your portions are). The lap band will only aid with hunger/portion control. It does nothing for malabsorption. If your problem is Portion Control or grazing the band could be your answer. If I were already eating small portions and not snacking, and I could show I was eating a calorie controlled diet and not losing weight....I'd want some metabolic tests done before having surgery to find out why I was gaining the weight.

I eat 1600-1700 calories a day to maintain my current weight. Prior to surgery I was eating somewhere around 2500-2600 a day.

Best wishes!

[Joleen 3]

Have you ever tracked your food or worked with a nutritionist to determine how many calories you are eating? Are your thyroid levels normal?

What you describe is about what I eat in a day (depending on how big your portions are). The lap band will only aid with hunger/portion control. It does nothing for malabsorption. If your problem is Portion Control or grazing the band could be your answer. If I were already eating small portions and not snacking, and I could show I was eating a calorie controlled diet and not losing weight....I'd want some metabolic tests done before having surgery to find out why I was gaining the weight.

I eat 1600-1700 calories a day to maintain my current weight. Prior to surgery I was eating somewhere around 2500-2600 a day.

Best wishes!

Thanks for the info. I am sure some days my calories get up to more then they should but I think most days I stay good. I think I need to stay CONSTANTLY balanced. I know I have a horrible metabolism. So I am hoping this is the tool I need to keep me motivated to eat less and stay in the gym!!!

My thyroid levels have been fine since going up to 64 3 yrs ago, that is when I got on synthroid! I have learned just because you go on medicine for you thyroid doesn't mean you will loose weight, DANG IT!!! LOL

Thanks again,

Joleen

[Cocoabean 430]

Thanks for the info. I am sure some days my calories get up to more then they should but I think most days I stay good. I think I need to stay CONSTANTLY balanced. I know I have a horrible metabolism. So I am hoping this is the tool I need to keep me motivated to eat less and stay in the gym!!!

My thyroid levels have been fine since going up to 64 3 yrs ago, that is when I got on synthroid! I have learned just because you go on medicine for you thyroid doesn't mean you will loose weight, DANG IT!!! LOL

Thanks again,

Joleen

If only it were so easy as taking a thyroid pill, eh? I have had thyroid issues for years, until I finally had it radiated away.

Do look closely at your caloric intake. My fear would be that if you already eat a lower calorie diet that a restrictive-only procedure might not give you enough of a boost. But you and your doctor are the best judges of that. Not me! It is very easy to under-estimate what we consume. I'd have sworn I was eating about 1200-1300 a day. Then I used a food tracker app and discovered it was closer to 1700. Which is fine as I am maintaining now. But I was shocked!

Best wishes in your decision.

[Joleen 3]

If only it were so easy as taking a thyroid pill, eh? I have had thyroid issues for years, until I finally had it radiated away.

Do look closely at your caloric intake. My fear would be that if you already eat a lower calorie diet that a restrictive-only procedure might not give you enough of a boost. But you and your doctor are the best judges of that. Not me! It is very easy to under-estimate what we consume. I'd have sworn I was eating about 1200-1300 a day. Then I used a food tracker app and discovered it was closer to 1700. Which is fine as I am maintaining now. But I was shocked!

Best wishes in your decision.

Yes, I do use a calorie tracker!! I love them especially now, it helps to know how much Protein you are getting!!! I used to keep a food journal but I am glad phones apps have made it easier! I know when I use my app I am more conscious of my intake!

Thanks!!!