Before Surgery Shopping List

[SummerTimeGirl 580]

So I finally got my packet of info so that I can start with the classes, meeting the dietician, getting my pre-surgery testing done, meeting with the surgeon for the first time (which is today), etc. Anyway, in the packet they have a list of items to get BEFORE surgery. I have some of the items already so I won't list them, but I was wondering if anyone actually had a list too and if you did, what did you actually buy/use (pls post links/pics if you can) or what did you wish you had gotten in it's place instead? Are ALL of these things really necessary? Just want to start thinking about that stuff NOW and looking around while I have time.

List is as follows (minus stuff on it I already have):

Notebook/Food Journal
Pill Crusher
water bottle (32 or 64 ounces)
1-8 oz Prep Bowls
2 or 4 oz Plastic Containers
food Scale
Small Plates and Bowls
Baby Utensils

(not sure why it auto linked some of the words above)

Edited February 25, 2021 by SummerTimeGirl

[BigSue 1,320]

Notebook/food journal - didn't need (I use the MyFitnessPal app, and there are plenty of other apps available to fulfill any notebook or journal need)

Pill crusher - didn't need

Water bottle - This is a matter of personal preference, but I don't like those giant water bottles. The appeal is that they make it easier to make sure you get enough water, but I just use a smaller bottle and track in MFP.

Prep bowls - You can probably just use whatever bowls you normally use for food (soup bowls/cereal bowls).

2 or 4 ounce plastic containers - Now here's one that I agree with! I use a ton of 2-ounce containers with lids. They are extremely useful for meal prep. These are good: https://www.target.com/p/diamond-multi-purpose-mini-cups-with-lids-50ct/-/A-14465305; if you're looking for something from Amazon, these are not as good as the Diamond but they're fine: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7W9BUX/ . Also, in the first week, it's nice to have little 1-ounce medicine cups to help track fluids. They gave me a whole pack to take home from the hospital, but you can also get them on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FSSQLQ7/

Food scale - must-have! You want one that measures in grams and ounces. I've had this one for over 10 years and I'm pretty happy with it (but there are plenty of other options): https://www.amazon.com/Escali-P115C-Precision-Lightweight-Lifetime/dp/B0007GAWRS/

Small plates and bowls - not entirely necessary, but highly recommended. When you're eating tiny portions, it's just easier to eat from small dishes. I use these every day: https://www.amazon.com/Anchor-Hocking-Glass-Bowls-Custard/dp/B000LNS2HE/. My favorite small dishes are these (I have 3 sets!): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0854P3XS1/ . They are a great size and the lids are very secure. I freeze single-serving portions of Soup, chili, etc. in these. They are also perfect for the famous ricotta bake. I split the ricotta bake recipe into 8 of these and bake it in the containers, then put the lids on and freeze them.

Baby utensils - another nice to have, but not must-have. I use something similar to this (I can't find the same set I purchased): https://www.amazon.com/RETON-Teaspoon-Flatware-Accessory-5-2-Inch/dp/B075HDD4TC/ . They are really useful for learning to take very small bites. I much prefer using metal utensils rather than plastic utensils made for babies.

One more thing to add is something to mix Protein Shakes. I started with a Blender Bottle (https://www.amazon.com/BlenderBottle-Classic-Shaker-Bottle-20-Ounce/dp/B01LZ2UMH0), but I got a milk frother as a free gift with my BariatricPal order (https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/bariatricpal-portable-protein-mixer-blender-whipper-pink?_pos=1&_sid=06414db01&_ss=r). I wouldn't have bought it for myself, but I have ended up using it all the time. It's so much easier to mix Protein shakes, protein Soups, etc. than a blender bottle or a spoon. You can get something similar on Amazon.

If you don't already have a blender and/or food processor, you will probably need one for the pureed stage. I have both. I don't use them very much now that I don't have to puree everything. I have this blender: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7Y3H73 and a Hamilton Beach mini food processor that does not seem to be available anymore.

[SummerTimeGirl 580]

39 minutes ago, BigSue said:

.................2 or 4 ounce plastic containers - Now here's one that I agree with! I use a ton of 2-ounce containers with lids. They are extremely useful for meal prep. These are good: https://www.target.com/p/diamond-multi-purpose-mini-cups-with-lids-50ct/-/A-14465305; if you're looking for something from Amazon, these are not as good as the Diamond but they're fine: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7W9BUX/ . Also, in the first week, it's nice to have little 1-ounce medicine cups to help track fluids. They gave me a whole pack to take home from the hospital, but you can also get them on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FSSQLQ7/

One more thing to add is something to mix Protein Shakes. I started with a Blender Bottle (https://www.amazon.com/BlenderBottle-Classic-Shaker-Bottle-20-Ounce/dp/B01LZ2UMH0), but I got a milk frother as a free gift with my BariatricPal order (https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/bariatricpal-portable-protein-mixer-blender-whipper-pink?_pos=1&_sid=06414db01&_ss=r). I wouldn't have bought it for myself, but I have ended up using it all the time. It's so much easier to mix Protein shakes, Protein Soups, etc. than a Blender Bottle or a spoon. You can get something similar on Amazon.

If you don't already have a blender and/or food processor, you will probably need one for the pureed stage. I have both. I don't use them very much now that I don't have to puree everything. I have this blender: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7Y3H73 and a Hamilton Beach mini food processor that does not seem to be available anymore.

Thanks so much for all the great ideas and links!! I never would have thought about those small disposable cups!! I was thinking I wouldn't get containers that size because I couldn't think of what I would use them for? But maybe I should? What kind of stuff do you use them for and did you use them right after surgery or further out?

I already have a big blender, small bullet type blender, as well as several of those bottles with the balls in them for mixing protein powders from previous dieting. Thanks again!!

Edited February 25, 2021 by SummerTimeGirl

[BigSue 1,320]

15 minutes ago, SummerTimeGirl said:

Thanks so much for all the great ideas and links!! I never would have thought about those small disposable cups!! I was thinking I wouldn't get containers that size because I couldn't think of what I would use them for? But maybe I should? What kind of stuff do you use them for and did you use them right after surgery or further out?

I already have a big blender, small bullet type blender, as well as several of those bottles with the balls in them for mixing Protein powders from previous dieting. Thanks again!!

I used the 2-ounce disposable cups right after surgery, first to measure out Protein Shakes (you have to sip really slowly for the first couple of weeks, so it's best to track your intake 1 or 2 ounces at a time), and also to portion out purees and soft foods. Your portion size for purees and soft foods is about 2 ounces, so you can measure out individual portions of stuff like yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed cauliflower, applesauce, pudding, Jello, etc.

I still use them all the time now for meal prep. I like to make a big batch of something and split it up into individual servings to freeze. You can fit 8-10 in a quart-size Ziploc bag. I have a freezer full of these containers with individual servings of turkey meat sauce, Mexican shredded chicken, Asian chicken, BBQ chicken, black Beans, salsa, raspberry puree, and strawberry puree. That gives me tons of easy meals, like: Mexican chicken + salad, Asian chicken + cauliflower rice & veggies, BBQ chicken + green beans, turkey meat sauce + ricotta bake, turkey meat sauce + spaghetti squash, Greek yogurt + raspberry puree, etc. (The black beans and salsa are just so they don't go bad before I use a whole container and I can just thaw a little at a time.)

I also use them as condiment cups, like ranch dip for veggies, or Salad Dressing to bring to work, or for small amounts of toppings like parmesan cheese or nuts. They also work as pill holders (I mostly use a pill organizer -- another great thing to have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072VQY7M7/ -- but sometimes I don't want to bring the whole day's worth of pills with me).

[SummerTimeGirl 580]

LOTS of great ideas!!! And I love that pill holder. I like how you can have them all in a container for when you go away for a week or just take out the few days for a shorter trip instead of taking the whole big container with you!! The one I have now (day and night) I always worry the days/sections are gonna pop open when I take them with me for traveling. This looks like that won't happen. Thanks so much!!!!!

[lizonaplane 1,605]

On 2/25/2021 at 1:57 PM, SummerTimeGirl said:

LOTS of great ideas!!! And I love that pill holder. I like how you can have them all in a container for when you go away for a week or just take out the few days for a shorter trip instead of taking the whole big container with you!! The one I have now (day and night) I always worry the days/sections are gonna pop open when I take them with me for traveling. This looks like that won't happen. Thanks so much!!!!!

This is how I set up my pills: https://smile.amazon.com/iMBAPrice-Clear-Reclosable-ZipLock-Ploy/dp/B00UIJHI80/ref=sr_1_2?crid=4C5SA56J4GYD&dchild=1&keywords=bead+bags+1.5x1.5&qid=1622565997&sprefix=bead+bags%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-2

They're called bead bags but CVS sells an almost identical but more expensive item as pill bags. I put a day's supply of my pills in each bag, and the bags can USUALLY be reused many times (sometimes the bags are defective and the bag rips when you open it, different brands are better or worse but I never remember which brand I ordered last time). I take a lot of medications and I travel all the time, so every month I set up a month's supply of pill packs and put them in a bag to take with me, so if I have to be gone longer than expected, I still have my pills ready to go, and I don't have to take all the bottles with me. Also, I've had pill holders pop open on me, and I've never had a pill bag open on me. They're like mini ziploc bags. And they take up much less space than the big pill organizers!

Edited June 1, 2021 by lizonaplane