Getting my shopping list together. Want to hear from YOU!

Hello all!

In anticipation of having a surgery date mid-September, I am gbetting a shopping list together for everything I will be needing post-op. So far, that list includes:

~Reusable, dishwasher safe water bottles
~2 Blender bottles
~Baby plates, bowls, and eating utensils
~Vitamins (of course)
~Pill organizer
~Protein shakes/powders

Here's where I need your help. Is there anything I will need that I don't have on my list?

And as for Protein - I can handle finding/trying the protein shakes, but what is your favorite flavored and UNflavored protein powder. The powders are just too expensive to buy without trying. Don't want to waste money on them if I'm not going to like them.

Any other suggestions or advice are welcome and appreciated! :)

For protein shake samples, you can go to vitalady.com and order tons of samples.  Keep in mind that how you make the shakes is also important.  Like, I prefer most of mine made with milk, in the blender, with a handful of ice.  But there are some I like better with water and one brand (Syntrax Nectar) that I don't like in the blender because it gets much too foamy for me.  Most of them I also don't care for if I just mix the powder with milk - I usually add other things to them to make them taste good.

For your shopping list, I would say Tylenol, whatever drinks you'll be able to have in the first couple weeks after surgery (crystal light, herbal tea, decaf tea, sugar free hot chocolate, etc) and the foods you'll be able to have the first couple weeks (broth, cream soups, jello, pudding, yogurt, etc).   You might like a blender for making your shakes.  I also liked having a bunch of small plastic containers with lids to store leftovers in the fridge - you'll have a lot of leftovers the first few weeks.

Small containers are a must!!!  I was at JoAnn Fabrics shopping for some beads and saw this 10-pack of plastic containers w/lids, each holds 1/4 cup- I bought 2 packages and they have been a lifesaver!!!  I work, so use them for my pureed foods so far. Also 1 scoop of Unjury fits perfectly in one, so makes it super easy to transport! I try to always have one with my Unjury Chicken Broth in it so if I should have an invite for coffee or something out with friends, I have an instant little protein dose - I just order tea and ask for  a second cup of ho****er. As I drink my tea, the other water cools, and I can add the unjury to it! 
Chicken & beef bouillon are good to have on hand as well.
Good Luck!!!!!

Don't overbuy. Everybody says it and probably most do it anyway.  As for protein, I use Bariatric Advantage mostly because my surgeon's clinic stocks it so it was easy for me to pick up.  Even then, I got too much at first.  I got a bag each of chocolate, strawberry, banana and vanilla.  7 months out, I'm trying to use up the banana and I still have some strawberry left.  Don't do that!  I only really use the vanilla, which I love and use every day. My pouch doesn't like solid food in the morning so I have a protein chai drink every morning for breakfast.  I would recommend getting a sampler pack if you can so you can decide what you like.

I don't use unflavored protein as I manage getting in enough. During my pureed stage, I put pureed baby food (chicken) in soups to get the protein in and I couldn't taste it.  It was much cheaper than unflavored protein and did the trick nicely.  I still sometimes add it to tomato soup.
When I travel for work, I frequently take baby food sweet potatoes, peas, fruits and chicken with me because I can have food I can eat comfortably if I'm trapped in a work situation with no food, or food I can't eat well. 
Recently I was on work travel and the cheapest nearby food was the hotel, at nearly $30 for a buffet lunch, of which I would eat about a cup.  Instead of wasting my money, I got a cup of soup and added the baby food chicken....at a cost of less than $5.  Another time I got a hotel salad but the available dressings were awful and full of too much fat.  I thinned my baby food fruit with a bit of balsamic vinegar and it made a delish dressing.

Your tastes may change and your appetite and pouch tolerances surely will, so don't buy a lot of anything this early on.  Good luck!

Jan,  thanks for the idea on babyfood and adding it to soup!  Brilliant!

Sure. I hope it works for you. I do it every week at least once because I love soup and frequently the tomato or broccoli soup I love (or occasional chicken noodle) has squat for protein.

Always was total against the baby food, but adding it to soup may not be bad.  I am happy you posted this.  Thanks Jenny

 I would skip the baby plates, bowls and utensils.  If you have salad plates with your dishes, they work just fine.  I never used baby utensils, just regular ones and took small bites.  I do agree with Kelly, stock on small plastic (1/2 cup - 1 cup) containers to store left overs, take out lunches, etc.  Definitely get samples of protein powders, because after surgery your taste do change.  For me what I could handle before, I can't now so I didn't buy larger containers until after surgery. Same thing with stocking on food before.  I bought a cottage cheese, tuna, salmon, and greek yogurt along with other food and found that my pouch doesn't like any of it so my hubby and son ate it.  Just get a few things and test them out then stock up. 

I agree with the previous responses that there is no need to buy baby plates/utensils. My favorite protein drinks came from http://www.tryabouttime.com/ They have samples you can order. It's a great idea to order a bunch of samples because everyone has their own favorites. Also, I would like a shake one day and couldn't stomach it the next.

I had to crush all of my meds for the first month, so along with your pill organizer you may want to buy a pill crusher. However, ask your surgeon. I've seen posts here from people who swallowed pills right from the start. One thing you will learn here is everyone's surgeon has their own plan and it's important to follow what your surgeon tells you.

Good luck as you prepare!

 While I did not buy baby plates, I did buy the baby utensils to help me get used to taking small bites. I still today use --not baby utensils - but I bought a supply of ****tail-sized forks and spoons. I also still eat off of a small salad plate.

Also, definitely the Crystal Lite supply. I have always been a very big plain water drinker, but after surgery I found that plain water hurt my stomach for a very long time. Crystal Lite helped me get my fluids in.