As I sit here and write this, I’m slowly sipping on my favorite Crystal Light Lemon Iced Tea out of one of my favorite, go-to tumblers… Perfect to throw in my bag, and at 32 ounces, I only need to drink two of these a day to hit my minimum fluid intake. It brings me back to the first days out of surgery, when the “sip, sip, sip” mentality was key! So, it made me start to wonder what some of the most essential items were that I needed at home while recovering from my Gastric Bypass surgery. Below you will find a list of my recovery tips and some of my favorite things I had after surgery!
A comfy spot, such as a recliner or comfy couch, with all of your essentials within reach! I set up a little “work station” next to my recliner with everything I needed handy during recovery.
The spirometer they sent home with me from the hospital, so I could make sure my breathing was up to par.
Small sippy cups so you can sip, sip, sip the one ounce a time they tell you to. Most hospitals and doctors will provide you with those little plastic, ounce sized medication cups to bring home with you if you ask. This makes your “one ounce at a time” drinking habit thoughtless!
Gas-X… The bloating and air they inflate you with during surgery can be one of the biggest complaints post-surgery for most people. Gas-X chewables were a lifesaver for me post-op (and still to this day, to be honest!).
Heating pad… this is helpful for the aches and pains, as well as the discomfort and bloating on your tummy.
LOTS of pre-tested protein drinks and fluids that you LOVE! You really want to have everything tested and stocked up, ready for when you get home. Preparation is key!! You don’t want to be experimenting while trying to recover. I think this is important so you can meet your fluid and protein intake quotas for the day. Sugar free and no sugar added ice pops were also another big staple for me (as long as they were dietician approved!)
A blender or food processor (or both!) … this will make prepping shakes and mushy/soft foods a lot easier! These are my personal favorites, and definitely staples in my kitchen to this day! I also have this awesome portable blender for when I need to make shakes on the go!
Small containers for food/mushy food storage… It’s no secret that I’m addicted to kitchen stuff! I made sure I had an assortment of tiny (4 oz or so sized) containers so I could prep and store several meals at a time. Meal prep and making things easy and simple is another key to success (starting to catch a theme here? lol).
A good, easy to use food scale… you’ll need to measure your food out and know your portion sizes, so having one you like (and know how to use) will make this a lot easier. This will also make it easier to log your food intake and calorie/protein/carb count.
A set of measuring spoons and measuring cups… see above 🙂
A good personal scale… for me, I like to weigh myself every other day or so and having a WIFI scale that links to my phone has made it super easy to track and keep myself motivated!
A lunch box with ice packs, or bento boxes, which are a personal favorite … this makes taking your food on the go easy, and the bento box is PERFECT for portion control once you’ve measured out your portions. Also, I find the bento boxes really fun, and they come in all sorts of materials, shapes and colors… I might have a small collection.
Fun, small plates and utensils… This is something that has followed me from my LapBand days, and I still use! Tiny plates and forks tend to make a meal look like its “more” … you can have a full plate, but still be on track with your portion sizes. I have all sorts of plates that I love, as well as many sets of toddler sized utensils (even a set in my pocket book!) that I still use, almost a year out from surgery.
Books, laptop, chargers, remotes… things to keep you entertained while resting, and within reach. I also enjoy knitting as a hobby, so I made sure I had a new project and all the supplies ready to go. I had a few of my favorite magazines and a couple new books to read, my laptop and chargers plugged in and ready to go.
Info packet from the surgeon with your post-op instructions… you’ll be referring to them often, so you will want to keep them handy. Read them thoroughly know what you are supposed to do, how often, and who to reach out to incase of questions or an emergency.
Lap Desk… because I’m a dork, and I can’t be away from work or my laptop for too long, I got this comfy lap desk so I could put my computer, paperwork, or whatever I’m working on at the moment right on my lap in a comfortable position.
Comfy blankets and your favorite pillow… because comfort is important, obviously! And you might get cold lol. Plus, a lot of people find sleeping in a recliner more comfortable right after surgery, because it’s easier to get in and out of when your belly is still tender.
Liquid Tylenol… I find this helpful instead of taking the heavier medication, especially since a lot of doctors are shying away from prescribing them anyway.
Slip on walking shoes or good slippers… walking will also be key after surgery… it helps get the gases out, as well as helps prevent blood clots. Most doctors will want you up and walking as soon and as often as you can tolerate it.
These are just the things I personally found helpful! I had my recliner and end table all set up, so when I got home, I was ready to roll, and didn’t have to worry about getting everything together and put into place while I was still sore. If you can think of anything else that helped you, drop a comment below!!
xoxo – Cheryl
(As always, these are from personal experience, and some doctors may have other requirements or suggestions…. Please consult your doctor with any questions or concerns you have! I am NOT a medical professional… just sharing my personal experiences with the hope of helping guide others and make their journeys easier.)
– This is a game-changer! Your lips will be dry from surgery, and Chapstick will feel absolutely amazing to rehydrate your lips. Plus, you’ll also be sipping little bits at a time, this will help you keep moisturized and avoid those awful feeling chapped lips!