Buying in prep?

[tellemarie]

Hi everyone! I just got my sleeve approved through insurance and now I'm trying to get through these last few appts before we can schedule surgery (hopefully by the end of this month, since the approval is only good for so long). I had kind of an odd question though after surfing the boards. What things did you all buy in preparation for getting sleeved? Things like scales, fancy water/shake mugs, etc? I'm trying to get all my ducks in line before going in!

[Kimpossible318]

My surgery is in 2 weeks and I totally started buying stuff 3 weeks ago or so. I bought several of those shake bottles and some other bottles for my water that don't have built-in straws. I bought my various types of vitamins in chewable form. I bought a new scale and sample packs of protein powders plus several different brands of ready-to-drink protein shakes. I bought some herbal tea - specifically ginger since it's supposed to soothe the stomach and I also purchased some of the Mio bottles and whatnot (water flavor enhancers). I have a couple of new books for recovery reading and even a tv show on DVD to watch the week I'm off. I feel like I've never been so prepared for something before in my life, lol! =)

[jrenee63]

I bought everything...shake mugs with the wire rack in them-3
scale for food
all my pre-op food on the list
blender
got a food processor for my birthday cause I asked for it and it purees food.
baby spoons-hey I need to retrain myself to eat smaller portions-just for me
2 huge jugs of protein powder
every flavor of sugar free jello powder kind and extract I could find for making my shakes better-I've become very creative with shakes and they taste awesome
crystal lite packets for pre-op
swanson broths and swanson infused broths-every flavor so I can mix up my meals a little
heating pad for after surgery
gas-x strips for after surgery

[jrenee63]

Kim, you sound just like me. Things you bought I forgot to put on my list below..hehehe. I was ready for this and started early. Now I have all my 2nd stage foods purchased and a bike, boxing bag, workout dvds, mini-trampoline, and so much more.

My surgery is in 2 weeks and I totally started buying stuff 3 weeks ago or so. I bought several of those shake bottles and some other bottles for my water that don't have built-in straws. I bought my various types of vitamins in chewable form. I bought a new scale and sample packs of protein powders plus several different brands of ready-to-drink protein shakes. I bought some herbal tea - specifically ginger since it's supposed to soothe the stomach and I also purchased some of the Mio bottles and whatnot (water flavor enhancers). I have a couple of new books for recovery reading and even a tv show on DVD to watch the week I'm off. I feel like I've never been so prepared for something before in my life, lol! =)

[Kimpossible318]

oh yeah....I also bought different flavors of broths and gas x strips....not a heating pad, but that's next lol.

[NancyN]

Different protein powders, travel cups (no straws, but lid block smell of protein) 1/2 cup rubbermaid containers, and very cute "tasting party" dishes and forks, dusted off the exercise bike and dumbells. Renee, be careful with the mini tramp, don't do it barefoot, gave me plantar fasceitis a few years ago.

[while.im.still.young]

Rubbermaid makes a 64oz container with a water-bottle top on it that I put my water in. I sip on it all day and it really helps me. Other than that, I didn't buy anything special before surgery. I did buy some baby gas drops though and never really needed them. My gas was never bad at all.

[Little Verbena]

I am getting ready to set up my endoscopy apt and after that will get my surgery date. I started buying now. Since I live in a remote area without access to lots of stores, I have had to start early. I went into the larger town (1 hour away) and stocked up on flavored broth and sf pudding. I went to the three stores in town but the only shake I could find that was on my doctors list was EAS Carb control so I bought four packs of that. I also found the Atkins Advantage but noticed it says it has four servings in one container. I bought one pack of that but will be careful with it. I ordered unflavored protein powder from the internet (Bariatric Eating). I got out my Wii Fit and started getting into a routine of exercising play. I mapped out my walking area on the ranch and found that from my house to the far end of the side horse pasture and back is about a 1/4 mile. I cleaned out the snack cabinet and made that my wieght loss cabinet for all the stuff I am stocking up on.

I plan to pick up some soups and more puddings. I am having trouble finding sf Popsicles. I want to try some of the flavored protein powder drinks but couldn't find a small pack. All of them come in those massive jugs. Anyone have any suggestions where to get those?

[Bufflehead]

Little Verbena, I got my protein powder samples online. I wanted to post links but can't because I haven't reached 15 posts here yet. Anyway, try Googling:
"Unjury starter kit"
"BJ's Bariatrics Syntrax Sample Pack"
"Nashua Nutrition Protein Powder Samples"
"Vitalady Protein Samples"
and you should get some good results.

[MysticalMaybe]

Isopure
Sf jello
Crystal light
Soups (creamed)
Something to take your temp with
Unjury (unflavored) you can make with your jellos
Unjury chicken soup
Pillows to prop you in your sleep.
Protein shakes (find the one you like)
I also used a cup warmer to keep my soups warm because it took me forever to eat lol
Slip on shoes (hurts to bend down)
Mesuring cups /Spoons
Food on your dr's list

And I think thats all I can think of right now.

[jactkb]

My surgery is not until Dec so I have just been collecting web sites to order from. I have food allergies to some preservatives, some artificial colors and some artificial sweeteners, so my goal with research has been to find the lowest calorie organic/natural/etc that I can eat without it making me sick. Most things I cannot buy local and have to order off the net. Here is my list of items.

Protein Samples:
whey protein in single serving pouches - tera'swhey | tera's whey
Syntrax Nectar Natural
Jay Robb Whey Protein Powder Sampler Kit
Shop | Bariatric Fusion

Sweeteners: SweetLeaf Stevia - also has water-based (not alcohol-based) sweetened flavorings (SweetDrops) such as french vanilla, chocolate, berry that can be used in shakes and as water enhancers

Foods:
Bell Plantation - Home page - PB2 - Powdered Peanut Butter and Chocolate Peanut Butter with most of the fat removed so much lower calorie
Organic Pudding - Non-sweetened organic pudding. It has no sweetener in it at all you add your own at home so I can use SweetLeaf

Vitamins: Note these are the vitamins that I feel ok with the "other" ingredients that are listed, some of liquid/chewable and some not. I have not taken them to my NUT yet to see which if any would be acceptable. I would not take any of these vitamins unless my NUT approves them first.
ReViva Nutrition: Finally, No pills
Multi-Vitamins for Women | Nature's Way
Liquid Vitamins
OPURITY® BYPASS & SLEEVE Optimized Multivitamin - Chewable
Source of Life | Energy, Vitamins, Supplements | Nature's Plus

I have items that I want to purchase stored in an Amazon wish list, you can see the wish list by using my email addy (jactkb99 "at" gmail "dot" com:
popsicle maker
food processor
cooking items (I am starting a cooking hobby, since if I can only eat a little bit, I want all of it to taste awesome)
bento box lunchbox

And now I have lots of other items to add to my wishlist as I have read through everyones.

[Think]

I have gradually started stocking up as well. I have accumulated a generous supply of MIO & Crystal Light, SF pops, low-sodium broth in both chicken and beef. Decaf coffee & tea, as well as some herbal teas. I purchased a couple baby food meat and tested one to see if I could season it up to make it palatable but I don't think so. They will go in the donation bin for the holiday food drives they do. I also bought some coconut milk to try, I love the coconut water, so thought this would be good to mix it up a bit.

Items I already have/keep on hand: MIO/Crystal Light, several kinds of protein powder, powdered milk for increasing protein, food processor & vitamix, hot/ice packs and heating pad, slip-on shoes, little Lock & Lock containers, drink mix bottles, food scale and personal scale, measuring implements. I also have things like chicken breasts to chop/puree, several kinds of frozen light fish, canned chicken/turkey, refried beans, cream of wheat and a variety of instant oatmeal. Organic chicken and duck eggs. Cream of mushroom and cream of chicken canned soups. Ground pork and chicken. I ground the pork from trimmed sirloin pork chops, so its very lean. Today I purchased some soup/stew items and will be making a batch so I can put it in small containers in the freezer. I also have a ton (maybe 30 lbs or more) of frozen berries for putting in smoothies: mostly blueberries, some blackberries, raspberries, sliced peaches, a mixed berry (blueberries, blackberries & raspberry) blend, and some frozen sweet cherries. Some mild and medium salsa to add to meats for flavor.

Still need to get are mostly items that will expire, things like: skim milk, yogurt, sf pudding & jello, low-fat ricotta cheese, low fat cottage cheese, low fat cream cheese. Coconut water, as I could not find any at the store today and have consumed my supply. I also still need to get some unflavored protein powder and order some Isopure for right after surgery. Next time I am in a 'real' town, I will stop by Trader Joes and get a supply of nuts since I know they are good protein, and also pick up some almond and cashew butters, yummy healthy source of protein

I am sure there are still things I need, but have gradually tried to make sure that I have useful things on hand. I have also started trying to eliminate things that I don't need, like reducing the volume of fruits & vegetables I have as well as the carbs!

Vitamins: I plan on using my existing vitamins first, because I have such a sensitive stomach with them and so want to use what I know works. So not sure about that except I know I want another source of vit B complex sublingual, the sublingual liquid I have right now is a bit too sweet.

I think thats all I can think about, but will be watching this thread for suggestions. I'm a pretty picky eater, so figured I should get a goodhead start on this!

[Think]

I also have things like gatorade on hand, and carnation instant breakfast.

[Ronnie75]

I emailed muscle milk (customerservice@cytosport.com). They sent two packages 1 vanilla and 1 chocolate. It makes 4 shakes. designerwhey.com sent me 1 sample of white chocolate.,Bariatric choice sent chicken soup, chocolate shake and caramel pudding samples. I also liked atkins on facebook they gave 3 bars and some coupons. questproteinbar.com is sending me samples. I signed up for the news letter for new whey. check the box that says free sample on their site. newwhey.com I emailed more places today. When I get feedback I will update you. That's all I have for now. good luck