Post op necessities

[RaisnHL 20]

I’m in the beginning stages of surgery prep. but I’m a planner so I’ve been thinking… Does anyone have suggestions for post sleeve surgery necessities? Portion cups? Portion Control plates? Best cup for sipping post surgery? Etc.

[Flab-U-Less Forever 140]

I didn't find the small 1 oz cups useful but I know others have. I would recommend getting a binder. At first, I thought I had wasted money on it but after a sneezing fit I needed to wear it for about 10 days afterwards I was in so much pain. I got one on Amazon. Make sure you have Miralax on hand. I use it prophylactically once a day. I had a small bout of Constipation and it was not fun. I had been very good about taking my Miralax but forgot 2 days in a row and that's what did me in. I am in the beginning stages so VERY LITTLE veggies being consumed. Maybe as I get further out I can come off it somewhat. I hear others take it daily even after a year or more out from surgery. I have always used small plates so I did not buy anything special and I just drink Water from a marked water bottle so I can easily monitor my water consumption. I did not buy anything special just got a sharpie and marked a bottle.

[lizonaplane 1,604]

I bought a ton of stuff, most of which I didn't use. I bought those little 2 oz disposable cups and didn't use a single one.

Here is what I found helpful:

1. Use a salad plate instead of a huge dinner plate

2. I have some small (like 1 cup) freezer/dishwasher/microwave safe containers for portioning food into - many people swear by Souper cubes, but those are really expensive and don't seem very flexible when you have just one or two servings of something to freeze.

3. I sometimes use the toddler silverware, but it doesn't matter much

4. I use a regular glass, but I found that keeping a bottle of Water with me on the couch right after surgery (right in my hand) really helped me drink more. I switched the bottles out every few hours so they would stay ice cold (some people prefer room temp liquids after surgery, but I needed iced cold)

5. Many people love sugar free ice pops, but it wasn't for me

6. Before you go in for surgery, clean your home, do your laundry and dishes, and get some Protein Drinks in the fridge. You won't be able to do these things easily for the first few days after surgery.

Best of luck!

[catwoman7 10,845]

I have a food scale which I used A LOT the first year or two. I don't use it that much anymore, though - maybe once a month or so.

I bought some 8 oz ramekins because that way I didn't have to measure some things. If it fit in the ramekin, it was a cup (or if it fit in half the ramekin, it was 1/2 a cup - although you can also buy 4 oz ramekins)

I also bought some baby spoons - and I still use them for eating some things (like yogurt) at seven years out -- but now it's mostly because I love them!

I never bought special cups or glasses - I Just used the ones I already had.

[FutureSylph 377]

Whatever else you do/don't do, I strongly recommend not stockpiling Protein Shakes before surgery. I didn't listen to this advice beforehand, and sure enough, my sense of taste altered immediately after surgery and I can barely gag down my Protein shakes now.

[Splenda 249]

1 hour ago, RaisnHL said:

I’m in the beginning stages of surgery prep. but I’m a planner so I’ve been thinking… Does anyone have suggestions for post sleeve surgery necessities? Portion cups? Portion Control plates? Best cup for sipping post surgery? Etc.

A comfortable recliner to sleep in, especially for the first weeks post-surgery (I'm a stomach/side sleeper, so it took a while for me to sleep comfortably on my bed). A sturdy cane was also helpful to me for the first week after surgery because it gave me something to push off on when going from seated to standing (like using the toilet). I seriously underestimated how sore my stomach would be after surgery.

[liveaboard15 1,292]

I havent had surgery yet but one thing i do have in my shopping cart that i am going to buy here this week are those leg massagers that fill with air and massage your legs to prevent blood clots. They put them on you while in the hospital. Amazon has several choices. Gonna wear those for the first couple weeks after surgery while i am sitting or laying down.

[GradyCat 3,692]

Immediately post-op I needed Protein Shakes and sugar-free popsicles on hand.

[summerseeker 1,829]

I was allowed tea and coffee from the time I woke up. It would always go cold before I could drink it and I hate cold coffee so I bought a thermos cup. I had my sleeve done in the freezing cold English November. I was so cold all the time so I was glad of a extra duvet for the sofa. I wished I had a recliner chair because I couldn't sleep laying down for 3 weeks, had I known I would have bought one from a charity shop. I have little rice bowls that I used for Soup, yogurt and instant porridge. My usual bowls would have been ridiculously large for the tiny amount I could eat in the first weeks. The only other things I bought were lip balm, gummy vitamins and soluble Calcium. Good luck

[ms.sss 14,633]

I used the each of the following items every single day during weight loss phase (some things multiple times a day):

food scale & measuring cup

Body Scale

Some sort of food tracking app (i used My Fitness Pal Premium)

Insulated Water bottle

something to keep u regular (i used Benefibre)

A Timer (used the one on my watch)

Edited April 4, 2022 by ms.sss

[ShoppGirl 3,340]

It looks like people got you covered for at home. I will second not stocking up on too many Protein Shakes. Our tastes can change, especially sweet things and I had to give away a couple cases of them. For the hospital an extra long phone charging cord and pajama pants to wear under your gown as your up and about. I used mens extra big ones and they were comfy enough to keep on (didn’t rub anything because I woke up from surgery with a binder on my stomach).

[Esi 179]

So many great suggestions!

For the hospital, I absolutely agree with the very long phone charging cord, 10 feet is best. If you can get a folding squatty potty, that might help with Constipation. I also did not like feeling like a patient, so as soon as they let me get out of my gown 24 hours postop, I wore shorts and a T-shirt the rest of the hospital stay.

I agree with the timer, I use my cell phone timer. I also agree with the shakes. Have a few on hand, different brands, but do not stock pile.

After a few weeks, it has been so helpful to have small microwavable dishes when I pack my lunch. They are actually Glass containers with snap on lids, that are meant for homemade baby food. They are around 5 ounces each, and perfectly hold my lunch that I pre-portion each Sunday. Also go in microwave/dishwasher.

I like to feel that I am still fitting in, so I use a bread and butter plate at each meal, along with a smaller fork. I also use one of my regular kitchen glasses, and measured how high 8 ounces of liquid goes to.

Good luck!

[sugarbee24 73]

I’m in the beginning stages of surgery prep. but I’m a planner so I’ve been thinking… Does anyone have suggestions for post sleeve surgery necessities? Portion cups? Portion Control plates? Best cup for sipping post surgery? Etc.

Water bottle, slide on shoes, unflavored Protein Powder, chicken stock/broth, sugar free Jello, a binder or folder to keep all of your surgery info in, baby spoons, Gas X, Protein Water - to sip or make Popsicles with. Make a Vitamin & supplement schedule so you know what to take when - most people can not tolerate taking all at once and you must take Iron and Calcium a few hours apart for them to be effective. A pad of paper or journal to write your foods in - so if you try something and it doesn't work for you you have a record of it. I haven't had my surgery yet but from everything I have researched and asked about these things seem to be the most important in the first few weeks. I hope this helps

[Guest]

Nice handy Water bottle - possibly rehydration/flavour drops/powder.

Contrary to what others may say, you genuinely don't need Protein for a couple of days - relax. You'll need clean bandages and tape and antiseptic liquid etc. Painkillers. Possibly something to help you sleep the first couple of nights - if you get anything addictive, keep 3 and flush the rest down the toilet.

Mainly - another human being with the time and wherewithal to give you a hand for the first 4 days or so.

What you need is to drink and to walk. And not walk around the house. I found you need a minimum of 5 minutes at a time in a straight line to help knock out the gas.

[liveaboard15 1,292]

1 hour ago, Pollito said:

Nice handy water bottle - possibly rehydration/flavour drops/powder.

Contrary to what others may say, you genuinely don't need Protein for a couple of days - relax. You'll need clean bandages and tape and antiseptic liquid etc. Painkillers. Possibly something to help you sleep the first couple of nights - if you get anything addictive, keep 3 and flush the rest down the toilet.

Mainly - another human being with the time and wherewithal to give you a hand for the first 4 days or so.

What you need is to drink and to walk. And not walk around the house. I found you need a minimum of 5 minutes at a time in a straight line to help knock out the gas.

It takes a few weeks of continuous use to get addicted to pain killers. Most will only give you enough for 2-3 days. if you can do without, perfect. but everyone handles pain differently. I handle it poorly and i keep pain killers stocked up just incase. I rarely use them but its nice to know they are there if i need it.