Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

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?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hidrate spark “smart” Water bottle.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, NYJenn said:

Hidrate spark “smart” Water bottle.

That looks like a fun gadget!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Digital food scale , body scale and bio oil :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×