I'm in the process of getting things I've been recommended, such as: smoothie maker, Protein powder, Snacks, pedometer, etc.

Please post your favorite products (any type) that have helped you along your journey or just made life easier.

Links/where to buy/details would be great!

Honestly my most favorite thing that has helped me a lot is using myfitnesspal.com to log in all my food and exercise. It helps keep track of everything for me and there is an app for my phone too so I can use it when I am out too. Love it. Good luck!

The handiest thing we have is an immersion blender. Prefect for smoothies, mushies

(who made up those words?), and super easy to clean.

You're going to want broth and all of the store bought ones are nasty. Since your surgery is still a week or so away make some now. Put a chicken (or beef if you prefer it) and some veggies and seasonings in the crock pot and cook the heck out of it. When its done, strain it and throw away the hunks. Freeze the broth in small containers so all you have to do is nuke it when you want it. I froze it in ice cube trays and then cracked them into a freezer bag so I could have as much or as little as I wanted. I also mixed my protein powder with a pkg of Carnation Instant Breakfast. It has lots of vitamins and makes the shakes taste a whole much better. I don't think I would have made it through the first week or so without Emetrol. It's cherry flavored anti nausea liquid. Works great. After a few days of liquid diet you will find that you have a horrible taste in your mouth and all the tooth brushing and mouthwash in the world won't touch it. Get something lemon flavored...lemon drops or lemonade. Minute Maid Light lemonade is really good and only has 5 or 10 calories per serving. They have it half gallons in the dairy or in 12 pks in the pop aisle. (It's non-carbonated.) Take your favorite pillow with you to the hospital. The ones they have are like cardboard...at least they were at my hospital.

All fantastic suggestions/ideas.

Thank you!!! I'll be crock-potting like a FIEND this week.

As for Carnation instant breakfast, do I get the regular or no sugar added?

I started blogging and would like to be able to refer people to the suggestions I got on here! I will of course give everyone credit. This site has been invaluable to be.

http://bandedcupcake.blogspot.com/

The handiest thing we have is an immersion blender. Prefect for smoothies, mushies

(who made up those words?), and super easy to clean.

What kind of immersion blender do you have Corrigan? You seem to be very happy with it. What specifically do you enjoy making with it / what types of smoothies & mushies come out best?

BTW, I appreciate all the great content to you add to this site!

You're going to want broth and all of the store bought ones are nasty. Since your surgery is still a week or so away make some now. Put a chicken (or beef if you prefer it) and some veggies and seasonings in the crock pot and cook the heck out of it. When its done, strain it and throw away the hunks. Freeze the broth in small containers so all you have to do is nuke it when you want it. I froze it in ice cube trays and then cracked them into a freezer bag so I could have as much or as little as I wanted. I also mixed my protein powder with a pkg of Carnation Instant Breakfast. It has lots of vitamins and makes the shakes taste a whole much better. I don't think I would have made it through the first week or so without Emetrol. It's cherry flavored anti nausea liquid. Works great. After a few days of liquid diet you will find that you have a horrible taste in your mouth and all the tooth brushing and mouthwash in the world won't touch it. Get something lemon flavored...lemon drops or lemonade. Minute Maid Light lemonade is really good and only has 5 or 10 calories per serving. They have it half gallons in the dairy or in 12 pks in the pop aisle. (It's non-carbonated.) Take your favorite pillow with you to the hospital. The ones they have are like cardboard...at least they were at my hospital.

Thanks for letting me know about the Emetrol it should be very helpful

The handiest thing we have is an immersion blender. Prefect for smoothies, mushies

(who made up those words?), and super easy to clean.

Agreed.

Best investments I have made is a high quality blender, and also a very high quality non-stick wok. (electric) bought them both from Williams-Sonoma.

The blender makes the best smoothies with a Protein shake base which I have every morning for breakfast.

The wok - I bought a large bag of stir fry mixed vegetables from costco, and it is so easy to stir fry a little chicken, fish, etc, then throw in a handful of vegetables. Perhaps a little brown rice mixed in also.

All fantastic suggestions/ideas.

Thank you!!! I'll be crock-potting like a FIEND this week.

As for Carnation instant breakfast, do I get the regular or no sugar added?

I started blogging and would like to be able to refer people to the suggestions I got on here! I will of course give everyone credit. This site has been invaluable to be.

http://bandedcupcake.blogspot.com/

There are more varieties with the regular and there's only about 60 calories difference plus you can get them much cheaper at Sam's or costco. So I guess it depends on you. I use the regular.

Thanks for letting me know about the Emetrol it should be very helpful

Your welcome. It also tastes good and helps temporarily with the "liquid diet mouth"!

What kind of immersion blender do you have Corrigan? You seem to be very happy with it. What specifically do you enjoy making with it / what types of smoothies & mushies come out best?

BTW, I appreciate all the great content to you add to this site!

The make is Braun, and of course it came from costco. And while you're there, their Protein

powder is great (Vanilla), it goes with anything.

Thanks for the kudos.

Your welcome. It also tastes good and helps temporarily with the "liquid diet mouth"!

The 'liquid diet mouth' was HORRIBLE. I saw you recommend the lemon candies on another thread and those were a life saver. That was so weird, no one tells you you will have the nastiest taste in your mouth while on liquids! Thanks for the tip

I like Body Fortress protein powder from Walmart or Kroger, its great and inexpensive. I also use SoyMilk, berries, green tea powder, instant coffee, etc for my shakes to mix things up a bit. I'm currently blogging about products, shake recipes (and meal recipes in the future but I'm currently on pre-op), and my journey at http://bandipes.blogspot.com if you'd like to take a look.

You know...I've recently noticed this! Weird.

The 'liquid diet mouth' was HORRIBLE. I saw you recommend the lemon candies on another thread and those were a life saver. That was so weird, no one tells you you will have the nastiest taste in your mouth while on liquids! Thanks for the tip

I like the EAS shakes and after the pureed stage I eat regular good ole healthy food. I am an egg lover so I eat them every day 1 egg with a 3 0z piece of smoked boneless pork chops for breakfast, salad for lunch and dinner whatever. I just do not eat bread, or pasta, but everything else is a go. . I love sugar free pudding too it helps with the want of sweets. I also keep sugar free hard candies on my desk at work for when everyone else is eating cake I will have my own stuff.

The one product I continue to use after all this time is Vitafusion brand Fiber gummies (Target). Many bandsters seem to have trouble with regularity and these are what I have found to work the best for me.

I still use Protein powders when I don't feel I'm getting in enough protein. The nectar brand roadside lemonaide is great when I don't feel like something milky. (order online to find lowest price)