What is the one thing that you bought before or after surgery that you could not live without? I am referring to a gadget or gizmo that just makes this journey easier? Just curious...

@Seela.... where do you find a warmer like that.... can you send me a link... I was actually going to get a baby dish that you could put hot Water inside of it to keep the food warm I'm having the same problem..... I have to eat so slow that my food gets cold and then i find it very un appetizing.....

A coffee cup warmer/plate thing. In the beginning I ate so slow things would become cold fast so it was great. I still use it everyday to keep my tea warm.

My mini blender, Water bottle, my thermo cup for hot or cold drinks. food scale... measuring cups and spoons.... baby spoons.... to help me eat small amounts at a time.... Ice... for my water. Protein shakes, Water, yoghurt cottage cheese.... something i can grab fast if I'm hungry as I'm still on the pureed diet.....

Hey jkppt.

On your question about what a treadmill desk is, mostly they are DIY type projects to setup a walking desk where you could potentially work or just use a computer / monitor for entertainment. There are all types of builds out there if you poke around Google. Mine was built around a treadmill I already had so the primary need was to fashion a desk that could lock onto the existing upper portion of the treadmill and support a mouse / keyboard. Fortunately have a friend who is a skilled wood worker and he was able to build a custom piece for it. Other main part was finding a stand that was the appropriate height and could contain whatever componentry you wanted access to.

There are some commercial options out there, but they seem to be quite expensive versus what people can generally fashion for themselves.

Attaching a few pictures of mine. Feel free to hit me with any questions.

P.S. I also agree with previous posters, a fitbit, an Aria scale, and myfitnesspal are all a great help.

Edited March 24, 201412 yr by Koofka

<p>Hey jkppt.</p> <p> </p> <p>On your question about what a treadmill desk is, mostly they are DIY type projects to setup a walking desk where you could potentially work or just use a computer / monitor for entertainment. There are all types of builds out there if you poke around Google. Mine was built around a treadmill I already had so the primary need was to fashion a desk that could lock onto the existing upper portion of the treadmill and support a mouse / keyboard. Fortunately have a friend who is a skilled wood worker and he was able to build a custom piece for it. Other main part was finding a stand that was the appropriate height and could contain whatever componentry you wanted access to. </p> <p> </p> <p>There are some commercial options out there, but they seem to be quite expensive versus what people can generally fashion for themselves.</p> <p> </p> <p>Attaching a few pictures of mine. Feel free to hit me with any questions.</p> <p> </p> <p>P.S. I also agree with previous posters, a fitbit, an Aria scale, and myfitnesspal are all a great help.</p> <p> </p> <div></div>

Thanks so much for the pictures of your desk. That is very clever. Will see if my husband could put something like together for me. He is fairly handy.

A microwave and a food scale. I have to re-heat my foods at least twice, if not more during the course of eating. And a food scale allows me to measure out my portions of food. No more guessing or over estimating portion sizes.

Small bowls that hold 1/2 cup

Baby spoon and fork-big help in taking smaller bites early on

Appetizer forks and spoons. Small ceramic bowls with steam-vented lids for reheating foods w/o drying them out, in two sizes (available at TJ Max and Marshalls for $2.99 and $3.99). My insulated lunch bag that goes with me everywhere. A large 32oz double walled "Bubba" mug for my protein shake when I need to take it on the run. "Bubba" is the brand name. :-)

I couldn't do without my phone, scale, and excel. I use my phone to track food on my fitness pal, and also it's a pedometer, can use it for this site, and also time my food/water intake. (and I can text and talk on it, too, lol!) I weigh myself daily, and track it on excel - so between logging my calories and trending my weight, I can really see the cause and effect. It's been invaluable information to me in learning how my body responds to diet. Odd things, I know

Koofka, Love, love, love the treadmill desk!

I so want a fitbit! I should order one right now! Also love the idea of a desk for my ellitptical machine. Otherwise, I use a food scale daily and many, many measuring cups. But most of all, I would never be where I am without My Fitness Pal.

I received an email regarding a recall on the fitbit force.

This e-mail is being sent to you because you are a registered user of the Fitbit Force Activity-Tracking Wristband, which is being voluntarily recalled by Fitbit, Inc. in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Users can develop allergic reactions to the stainless steel casing, materials used in the strap, or adhesives used to assemble the product, resulting in redness, rashes or blistering. Consumers should stop using the Fitbit Force Activity-Tracking Wristband and return the product to Fitbit for a full refund. Please open the attached document for the official press release. For additional information regarding this product recall.....

So very bummed as I love this product!!

I love my fitbit as it keeps me motivated to get all my steps in, I have an Aria scale that I use to track my weight (it and my fitbit sync to my iphone through the fitbit app and they give me lots of useful info), food scale and measuring spoons. I use more measuring spoons than I do measuring cups as I weigh everything. Right after surgery a shot glass was really handy for getting my fluids in. I could put an ounce in at a time and I knew I had a certain amount of time to get that Fluid in. The shot glass was the perfect size and it was nice to drink out of something glass and not plastic. I also bought some ramikins to use instead of full size bowls and some smaller 1/2 cup (I think) rubbermaid containers. Helped out tremendously with not eating too much. Good luck!!!

A coffee cup warmer/plate thing. In the beginning I ate so slow things would become cold fast so it was great. I still use it everyday to keep my tea warm.

I need to get one of these. I never get to finish a hot drink hot. Or a meal, for that matter. Thanks.

iphone, my fitness [al, Fitbit and a food scale. Measuring, weighing and tracking have been critical to my success! Being able to do this on a phone in my pocket makes it easy!