There are so many products out there that can assist you through your weight loss and maintenance phases. The problem is there are so many different brands and fads that is can be very over whelming. I have decided to create a list of my favorite products that I used or use:

Gas Ex- For the first month after surgery I used these strips like candy!

shakes I can still drink even 4 years out!

unjury Protein Powder- Get the unflavored and make your own shakes, the flavored ones taste weird and you get sick of the same flavor.

liquid phase you can sip on these and get a good source of concentrated protein.

Iron Supplement- Not everyone will need to take this but I like this brand.

Biotin in it!

http://www.oneaday.com/womens

Under Armour Sports Bra- Sorry guys This is my favorite! I am chesty and this holds the girls in place and is not as pricey as the Victoria Secret ones!

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/women-s-ua-heatgear-armour-printed-mid/pid1273505-918

Nivea Skin Firming Cream- SOOOO worth it. It is inexpenssive and when applied consistently for two weeks you will see results! I took pics.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=prod320006

Aquaphor- This is the duct tape of the medical/beauty industry. I use this on my tattoos, dry skin, heat rash, but especially scars!

http://aquaphorus.com/healing-ointment/#14oz-jar

This list should get you started, there are a million other products I use, if you ever have a question let me know and I will share.

list of my favorite products that I used or use:

@@Katnroyal

hey Tex

you are a sweetie taking the time to write this post

earlier post - VSG- A Day in the Life 4 Years out

newbies et al can always use good info, suggestions

you aces that you put this together and posted

something tells me this post is the 2nd but not the last "suggestion" post we'll see from you

131 lbs gone

130 lbs CW!!!

hmmmm, something about those #s are pretty cool!!!

great before and after transformation pics!!!

ride 'em cowboy!!!

hats off to you

kathy

congrats

Great list! i find at 4 years out I am less reliant on "specialty" products - yes I take my Vitamins, and do drink premier Protein and more recently Syntrax MATRIX (the only powder i can stand!). I aim for 80+ protein a day and I can't quite hit it without at least one Protein Drink a day. Premier goes great in coffee, or just drinking and MATRIX makes decent shakes and fun little "cakes" that I recently learned how to do for my dessert cravings.

I find I am much more tolerant of pills now so choking down my Calcium citrate is no longer such a chore. I still have either gummy or liquid vitamins. i am suspicious of many of the drugstore brands of Multivitamins because SOME of them have such powerful binding agents that your stomach can't break it down and you pass much of it through. I don't know which brands to avoid, and I seem to do okay on my current program, which started back when i could not get pills down (or rather pills became a Meal Replacement since i couldn't eat and take vitamins). I seem to have Iron rich blood so have never needed to take iron.

The must haves for me are more the protein sources and how to get reasonably unprocessed food with the most convenience. It is a balancing act because if I buy everything fresh and raw, it often goes to waste. I am not a diligent cook... however, there is prepackaged or freezer food from places like Trader joes and costco that are "healthier" and are not high in sodium, carbs, and other junk so many of those things become my "must haves". The blessing and curse of costco is they keep rotating what they have. Some of my old standbys are no longer available (like a particular turkey italian sausage) so i need to keep trying new things.

I do think one of the keys is to keep an open mind about changing as circumstances change, but to always keep an eye toward complying with the "basics". The way you maintain is more or less the same way you lose weight, only you have a bit more (and i mean just a bit) wiggle room to have "extras" during maintenance.

P 28 protein bread products. Good Health crispy protein bars. Power crunch protein bars. Quinoa or other higher protein pasta. Flapjacked mighty muffins and pancake mix. I often make my own protein bars or balls using ground nuts, almond butter, whey, honey and dried fruit too. I use my grocery store's (HyVee) whey chocolate or vanilla as it's cheaper, less sweet and mixes well in coffee. Not a shake fan though.