best things bought before surgery.

I had a heating pad in the hospital and my friend got me one when I was discharged. It felt good on my belly and also on my back from sitting up while sleeping.

I bought TONS of stuff and don't use most of it. Small spoons and forks, magic bullet blender, blender bottles, small plastic containers, warmer/cooler plate, sippy cups

Everything was used but not really needed. The first couple months are kinda difficult but for me I over prepared myself for the worst. But I live in a small town with very little shopping and tend to over plan everything so no matter what people said I bought tons of stuff and I'm sure I would do it all over again. For the most part though- money wasted.

Samples of proteins and vitamins you'll need- everything else is a question.

Valerie

I know they don't help for everybody, but I want you to know that I had my surgery about 1.5 weeks ago and I LOVE my small spoons and dishes. They are a reminder to me to slow down. They remind my family that I am recovering from surgery because you wouldn't really know it to look at me. I think they are funny, too, which makes me smile. That's a nice thing when I am feeling crappy. I didn't do a sippy cup. Instead I had tiny cups like you use for communion. They were nice for the first 3 - 4 days to help me drink 1 ounce at a time, since I used to gulp water down before. These are all things my weight loss clinic recommended and I was glad I had them. If you just get about 3 of every thing, it shouldn't cost more than $15. I may not need them forever, but they have already been well worth the money.

i loved my baby spoons too!

My best advice, unless you are wealthy, is to go minimalist!  You will need not one new wardrobe, but several, on your way down.  Chances are you will need all new shoes.  Jewelry resizing.  Outerwear.... the list of things you will actually need will be long enough.

Buy your vitamins, a decent blender if you don't have one (I hated the ninja btw....) or a shaker bottle, vitamins, and some protein samples.  Get the basics for the 1st two weeks at home from your nuts food list - go very easy on perishable items - you will eat far less than you can imagine.

Word on blenders - they make your shakes foamy.  I hated the foam & use a bottle.  Necessary if you are doing shakes with ice though. 

-Lots of pillows and/or a recliner chair. I don't have a recliner chair and it was difficult to get out of bed the first week. I had to have help getting out of bed that first week. If you don't have a recliner then make sure you have plenty of pillows so you can sleep propped up. You will be so full of gas that it will be uncomfortable to sleep flat.

-A bullet blender and shaker bottles. The blender was great for purees and more creative protein shakes. The shaker bottles I still use everyday. I have several (large and small size). 

-Jelly ball canning jars and the plastic screw on lids. I bought these at the grocery store (they also have it at Walmart). They are 4oz jars. The plastic lids are bought separate, but usually right next to the jars. I use these every day. You can freeze, bake, and microwave them and they are dishwasher safe. Since you will have a lot of leftovers, you can freeze what you don't eat. I just write what it is and the date on a blank sticker and put it on top. It makes it so much easier to control your portions. In beginning you will only be able to eat half a container (2oz). These are inexpensive and very useful. Plus, they look better than kiddy containers.

-Shot glasses. I bought little clear plastic shot glasses. I used these those first couple weeks to drink, since you can't drink a whole lot.

-Protein samples. It took 3 weeks before I found protein that I really liked. Order a whole bunch of samples off Vitalady.com. Also, I ordered protein hot chocolate and protein soup from MyBariatricPantry.com. The soup was great and a change from sweet. You WILL get sick of sweet proteins. My favorite protein is Click and Isopure. Isopure has clear protein that has zero carbs, high protein, and it tastes like flavored water. They have it at GNC, Vitamin Shop, and you can find it online.

-Unflavored protein. I used Unjury, and now Isopure. I added this to all my purees, soups, etc. It's difficult getting your protein in the beginning.

-Click protein. I love it! Even when I got sick of drinking protein powder, I can always get this down. Make it hot, cold with ice or blended. It's great. I add some unflavored protein to boost the protein. 

-Ice pop containers. I used them to make protein ice pops. It's a nice break from drinking your protein. I would either make clear isopure protein pops to be like popsicles or protein pudding pops (I would mix unflavored protein in Sugar-Free Jello pudding, like cheesecake, banana pudding, etc).

-Sugar-free jello and pudding. Mix protein in the pudding and it's yummy and you get your protein.

-Broth or brothy soups. If you don't like plain broth, then you can strain brothy soups when you are on clear liquids. You don't need a lot. It will go a long way in the beginning. 

-Cottage cheese. I love it after surgery. I mix unflavored protein in it and some seasonings. You can make it sweet or savory.

-Fage or Chobani greek yogurt (0% or 2%). High protein. You can make it sweet with splenda and sugar free syrups or savory with some seasoning (I like to use it like sour cream and mix some taco seasoning or as a topping with greek seasonings). Again, you don't need a lot at first.

-Powerade zero. I love it. It helps me get in all my liquids between protein. I'm sick of water and crystal light, so this is what I drink right now. It's hot out and the electrolytes helps.

I WASTED so much $ on what other people suggested! Seriously!

Stocked up on baby food and never opened one.

All kinds of fancy gadgets. Didn't need them. thank god i didn't invest in a recliner! LOL!

The only things I did find that were worth it was:

-my magic bullet. Loved the simplicity of changing cups.
-lots of protein samples (the only thing that made each day exciting was to try a new one).
-one of those mugs that you put in the freezer with the double liner that freezes.  It took me forever to drink a protein shake and it kept it cold (and tolerable the whole time).
-a good strainer to strain soups and yogurts from chunks.

Dawn

I have to say I am a mini silverware LOVER, I am 6 months post op and carry my own spoon and fork with me at all times, I even pull them out and use them dinning out .  I didn't spend any money on them though, my forks are the shrimp ****tail forks that came with my silver and my spoons are baby spoons, from my now teenage girls.  LOL  I Have tried to find more spoons but not willing to buy the rubber covered ones. LOL  Other than that, you need protein shakers(more than one) and more than one set of measuring spoons.  They one you need is never clean.  LOL

Best of luck to you!
Donna

Listerine....the old regular kind.  My mouth was full of ulcers and it helped alot in helping them heal!

OH and Sugar Free Italian Ice....helped them feel better also.

:)