What do I need to do/buy to prepare?

[*Paula* 1]

Hi Everyone. I haven't actually decided whether or not to go the surgery route, but I am leaning that way. During my initial consultation with the weight loss center doctor, I decided I'd probably try a medication (Wegovy). I haven't taken that medication and I still need to discuss the possibility of surgery with my doctor. In the meantime I've been doing a lot of research (Googling) to get an idea of what life would be like after surgery.

While researching, it occurred to me that I probably should buy a good blender or stick blender for food preparation, especially during the stages when you must eat soft, mushy, liquified foods (ugh). That got me to thinking, what other things should I know about before-hand, in order to be prepared.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Candace76 212]

Hi *Paula*!

Good luck with Wegovy, I hope it is successful in helping you lose weight.

Some thing that I purchased before or since surgery that I found helpful are:

1. food scale

2. Mini travel food processor

3. 2 oz disposable containers

4. 4 oz containers

5. Food thermos for Soups, purées, soft foods or bringing food

6. Warm travel cup (with strainer) for broths

7. Blender cups for Protein Shakes

8. Food: based on pre op & post op diets (i.e. Protein shakes, sugar-free Jello, sugar-free ice pops, broths)

9. Vitamins: based on what I was told I would need post surgery (i.e. calcium citrate, Multivitamin)

10. Measuring tape

11. Scale

12. Journal /logging/tracking supplies

Good luck to you!

[ShoppGirl 5,004]

I needed a food scale for my pre op diet but some people can’t eat regular food at all so you may not need one depending on your doctor. A blender isn’t a bad idea if you are the type that will eat food puréed that isn’t normally eaten that way. I personally can’t do weird consistencies so I ate ricotta bake and mashed potatoes during that whole stage. I also found the disposable cups in two ounce and four ounce very handy. Other than that I already had a scale and I don’t have to pack many lunches, just Snacks. I did buy some containers that have four square spots that are like sandwich container size that I use for snack if I will be out all day so I have choices. They are good for making homemade lunch ales too.

This is scale and the containers. Mine were prettier colors.

Vramy 4-Compartment Reusable Food Containers For Kids and Adults,Snack Box,Meal Prep Containers,Bento Lunch Boxes,Set of 6(12 pieces Total), Multi-Color https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L914X77/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1M2DXD2F90M6Y9623W2P

GreaterGoods Digital Food Kitchen Scale, Multifunction Scale Measures in Grams and Ounces (Ash Grey) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JTDG084/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_HYjuovq8sbqwW

[Dave In Houston 199]

For me, a food scale is very important. I weight everything I eat, not for monitoring purposes, but to be sure I don't eat too much. At about 10 weeks from surgery, I can now eat about 8 ounces at a sitting.

I would caution you not to buy too much food before your surgery date. My tastes changed quite a bit after the surgery, and I still have 60 cartons of Carbmaster yogurt and 40 boxes of WonderSlim shakes that don't appeal to me at all.

During the puree phase, as Candace said, you'll want something to grind your food up. I found the my bullet blender worked well.

Edited August 14, 2021 by Dave In Houston

[ShoppGirl 5,004]

5 minutes ago, Dave In Houston said:

For me, a food scale is very important. I weight everything I eat, not for monitoring purposes, but to be sure I don't eat too much. At about 10 weeks from surgery, I can now eat about 8 ounces at a sitting.

I would caution you not to buy too much food before your surgery date. My tastes changed quite a bit after the surgery, and I still have 60 cartons of Carbmaster yogurt and 40 boxes of Wonderslim shakes that don't appeal to me at all.

During the puree phase, as Candace said, you'll want something to grind your food up. I found the my bullet blender worked well.

I was told by the nutritionist that we should measure our food by volume post op instead of by weight. I’m not sure just how much of a difference it makes but for what it’s worth that’s what I was told to do.

[Dave In Houston 199]

5 minutes ago, ShoppGirl said:

I was told by the nutritionist that we should measure our food by volume post op instead of by weight. I’m not sure just how much of a difference it makes but for what it’s worth that’s what I was told to do.

Volume is indeed slightly more accurate. But being a chemical engineer, I know that most foods are very close to the density of Water, so that one Fluid ounce equals one ounce by weight. I think you'll see more variability because of your tolerance for the kind of food than from the density differences.

Edit: In any case, you'll want to be very aware of when you're starting to feel full, which feels different after surgery. And when you get that feeling, stop eating. You may regret even another bite or two.

Edited August 14, 2021 by Dave In Houston

[Arabesque 7,414]

5 hours ago, ShoppGirl said:

I was told by the nutritionist that we should measure our food by volume post op instead of by weight. I’m not sure just how much of a difference it makes but for what it’s worth that’s what I was told to do.

Volume is good to begin when your food is liquid, puréed & soft but it’s easier to weigh solid meats like chicken breast or thighs, fish fillets, steak, chops, etc. when you’re ready for those. I continued to use volume to measure fruit, vegetables, & wet/sloppy foods like Soup, stews, rolled oats, etc.

[ShoppGirl 5,004]

8 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Volume is good to begin when your food is liquid, puréed & soft but it’s easier to weigh solid meats like chicken breast or thighs, fish fillets, steak, chops, etc. when you’re ready for those. I continued to use volume to measure fruit, vegetables, & wet/sloppy foods like Soup, stews, rolled oats, etc.

I was wondering how you are supposed to weigh a sandwich or slice of pizza or something. I mean that wouldn’t be too appealing to eat after stuffing it down into a cup. Lol.

[Candace76 212]

2 hours ago, ShoppGirl said:

I was wondering how you are supposed to weigh a sandwich or slice of pizza or something. I mean that wouldn’t be too appealing to eat after stuffing it down into a cup. Lol.

Lol. I guess I would put wax paper or parchment down on the scale and then weigh it that way. Though, it will be a long time before I get to test the method. 🤣

[FutureSylph 377]

9 hours ago, Candace76 said:

Lol. I guess I would put wax paper or parchment down on the scale and then weigh it that way. Though, it will be a long time before I get to test the method. 🤣

Even cheap scales usually have a tare weight feature, where you can zero out an empty dish before putting your food on/in it. (Your way would work, too, but why waste paper?)

[Candace76 212]

11 hours ago, FutureSylph said:

Even cheap scales usually have a tare weight feature, where you can zero out an empty dish before putting your food on/in it. (Your way would work, too, but why waste paper?)

True!

[Maisey 260]

Things I bought or had and still use: Good blender. I still have a shake every morning. I use Fairlife skim milk, a scoop of powder and blend with ice. I love the frothy consistency. Cheap food scale, measuring spoons, measuring cups: I weight or measure everything. Smaller sized plastic containers: What I take for lunch is now smaller. Scale.

Things I never used: 2 oz. disposable containers. Blender/shaker cup.

Get enough Protein shakes/powder and Vitamins to get you through your immediate recovery but don't over do it. You may find your tastes change or you need different things.

[MistySkye 181]

I’m going to throw in- don’t over buy!

I bought Protein powders I never used or hated after surgery. I have 2oz disposable containers, never used them. They gave me a number of medicine cups when I was discharged, just used those the first few days. I have electrolytes, never needed, I drank fluids fine. I got compression socks - didn’t need, just used the ones from surgery.

Your tastes can change, so only get a few of something, because you might find you don’t want it after surgery.

[ShoppGirl 5,004]

2 minutes ago, MistySkye said:

I’m going to throw in- don’t over buy!

I bought Protein powders I never used or hated after surgery. I have 2oz disposable containers, never used them. They gave me a number of medicine cups when I was discharged, just used those the first few days. I have electrolytes, never needed, I drank fluids fine. I got compression socks - didn’t need, just used the ones from surgery.

Your tastes can change, so only get a few of something, because you might find you don’t want it after surgery.

I agree it’s best not to over buy because tastes change. I think the disposable cups are good for those of us in the clean your plate club who also don’t have super small restriction. I found that after my surgery I COULD HAVE eaten more at every given stage than I was supposed to be. The restriction was there. Just not AS STRICT as expected so for me those little cups were very helpful. You don’t have to get disposable ones if you don’t want though. Anything that measures ounces and you can wash it, the disposable ones were just handy to portion out a dinner to eat over the next few days.

[MistySkye 181]

For non-disposable I love the Oxo-Tot Baby Blocks 2 oz and 4oz containers. Even 2 1/2 months out, I’m still at the 4 oz stage.