Hey, all you post-ops out there! What are your favorite items - things you cannot/couldn't do without since the surgery - and why?

Do you have a particular water bottle you love? What kind is it?

Are you way into your FitBit or other fitness device?

Are there any item recommendations you would make to pre-ops or recent post-ops that you wish you knew about?

Great topic. As someone just getting started, I'd love to hear some tips from vets on which things helped them out.

I will say that I have a 32oz Contigo water bottle glued to my side all day, every day that helps me track my water intake. I have a Samsung Gear watch that I wear when I exercise. I am still on soft foods, but am looking into a food tracker to help me once I transition to the next stage. Right now my top contenders are My Fitness Pal and Lose It.

Perhaps a bit strange, but I find myself using a soft measuring tape a couple of times a week. I take my measurements in addition to weighing myself.

I find that knowing the data keeps gives me a reality check.

I'm a newbie post surgery but the things I can safely say I can't or don't want to live without:

1. 17 - 24 oz traveling water bottles (I have one everywhere, cars, work, home, etc)

2. Sqwinchers zero water enhancer (although am doing much better now with plain water)

3. My small salad and bread plates with dessert silverware

4. Small food containers to prepack my meals for next day ranging from 2 TBS to 1 Cup in size

4. Kitchen food scale - this has been my go to pal once I was permitted pureed / soft foods (I am able to measure 2 oz and ensure I don't go over by "eye balling" it like I used to in the past)

5. My Fitness pal app - I've tried them all and always return to MFP

6. My fitness tracker - I alternate between my Misfits (phase and flare) along with my Samsung Gear 2

Water bottle! 24-32 oz. I had a contigo but it kept leaking and growing mold and while they have a warranty, they make you jump through hoops and won't do anything unless you harass them. So I use Camelback, bubba or another stainless steel one that I forgot the name of.

my fitbit is always charged and on my wrist.

I love Bariastic.

Good shoes, comfortable workout pants with pockets and wireless headphones for when you can really kick it up a notch.

The Bariastic app has worked great for me.

My food scale is a huge help.

I've been a water drinker for a while now so I've always got water with me.

Not all doctors recommend it, but mine did - yesterday I received my medical alert bracelet. With RNY they suggest one to alert medical staff of no blind NG. Due to some severe allergies I should have gotten one years ago but I finally ordered it after surgery.

When I came home from the hospital they sent some medicine cups with me so I could keep measuring out my 2 oz of water and protein shakes. Those were a huge help. That way I didn't have to use the measuring cup constantly. I ordered some plastic ones off of Amazon when my hospital ones started running low. Amazon Prime is awesome! I've also been ordered my protein shakes through them since we have a hard time finding these in local stores.

If you have a Trader Joe's close to you check out their soups. Pre & post op I've enjoyed the roasted red pepper and tomato soup. Some people can't have tomato for a while after surgery but I've done well with it.

If you take morning meds I highly suggest a pill carrier, especially if you work outside the home. Thursday was my first day back to work and since I was outside of my usual routine I almost forgot my morning meds. Since I have 6 or 7 I can't take them all at once now so I'm still learning the best timing to space them out.

Get a sports bra! You need a soft, comfortable one without underwires! That's one thing I wish I had realized before surgery.

Hidrate spark “smart” water bottle.

3 hours ago, NYJenn said:

Hidrate spark “smart” Water bottle.

That looks like a fun gadget!

Digital food scale , body scale and bio oil :)

Sugar free crystal light. I used to love sparkling water, but now that it is off limits, the SF crystal light in a large jug of water makes me feel like I’m drinking something different than just water. Also, portable vomit bags. I found on amazon. Pack of 24 blue Emesis bags by Healqu. Makes me feel safer just in case I am out and may need one quickly. Final item- pill sorter. Medca pop-up poll organizer. Allows you to organize pills by day and by 4x each day. I also got a smaller Travel one for when I am on the road. The last item-really- is the big book on gastric bypass by Alex Brecher. I got it before surgery but have found it quite helpful. It is connected to this site somehow, not sure how. But I first learned about bariatricpal through this book, so that was worth the money alone!

On 09/08/2018 at 17:37, boringtessa said:

That looks like a fun gadget!

I love it, syncs to my Fitbit and takes the guess work out of getting my 64 oz per day

I’m not sure what everyone’s supplement recommendations are, but I have a work stash of calcium since I take it during the day. I also have a home bottle for weekends ? And I keep generic gas x chewables at work and home.

8 hours ago, NYJenn said:

On 9/8/2018 at 5:37 PM, boringtessa said:

That looks like a fun gadget!

I love it, syncs to my Fitbit and takes the guess work out of getting my 64 oz per day

Does it work well even if you don't have a Fitbit or any other type?