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Bariatric Surgery Recovery Essentials: What Actually Helped Me
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items Real-life bariatric surgery finds from someone who has experienced both gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. I share honest recovery essentials, protein favorites, portioning tools, comfort items, and products that made each stage a little easier.
Sections
6
Hospital and First Week Essentials
Phase 1 & 2 Liquids: Get in Your Protein and Hydrate!
Bariatric Vitamins, Supplements, & More
Portion Control/Kitchen Tools
Body Change and Recovery Supports
When Working Out is a Thing
Hospital and First Week Essentials
Comfortable, practical items that can make the hospital stay and first few days at home feel a little easier.
A heating pad can feel amazing on your shoulders and back when you are dealing with trapped gas discomfort.
Heating Pads in Health and Medicine
These help keep your legs comfortable and supported while you are resting and not moving around as much.
Compression Socks
You may have several medications and vitamins to remember, so this helps keep everything organized.
pill organizers
This can be a lifesaver when your mouth feels dry but you are only allowed to take tiny sips.
CVS Dry Mouth Spray, 1.5 OZ
Your lips can get extremely dry after surgery, so keep this close by at all times.
Lip Balm & Lip Moisturizer - CVS Pharmacy
This helps keep the seat belt from rubbing directly against your tender stomach and incisions.
Mastectomy Pillows & Wedges | Memory Foam & Adjustable Support
You do not want anything tight pressing on your stomach, and these make getting dressed so much easier.
Nightgowns
Hospital outlets are never where you need them to be, so a long charger is an absolute must.
Long Phone Chargers | Wall Chargers & Power Banks
It is good to have one nearby so you can monitor yourself if you suddenly feel feverish or unwell.
THERMOMETERS & DIGITAL THERMOMETERS - CVS PHARMACY
When the pain comes, this is the best option if you dont have a liquid Tylenol to take.
Tylenol Coated Tabs and Dissolve Packs in Pain management
With limited nutrients, getting backed up is VERY COMMON. Make sure you have this ready!
MiraLAX - CVS Pharmacy
Phase 1 & 2 Liquids: Get in Your Protein and Hydrate!
Honest recommendations for protein shakes, soups, snacks, and other options I have personally enjoyed during my journey.
Because once you have this surgery, water may not taste the same anymore. Atleast that happened for me!
Crystal Light products at Target
These can add flavor to your water and may help when you are tired of drinking plain water all day.
Electrolytes Without Sugar
This takes the guessing out of hydration and lets you see exactly how much you have finished.
Shop Water Bottles
Since you'll be taking it slow the first few days, this is alot less overwhelming than a huge bottle to begin with.
Dynarex 4258 Medicine Cup 1 ounce. Economy (Pack of 100)
These are great for fluids, soup, pudding, yogurt, and tiny portions during the early stages.
Great Value Everyday Disposable Mini Plastic Cups, Clear, 2 oz, 50 Count
This keeps your drinks cold longer, which can make sipping fluids much more enjoyable.
insulated tumblers
Warm decaf tea can be soothing when cold drinks do not feel good on your stomach.
Great Value Lemon & Ginger Tea Bags, 40 Count
These make it easier to thoroughly clean bottles, lids, straws, and those small hard-to-reach areas.
Scrub Buddies Bottle Brush, 1-ct.
These are smooth, easy to drink, and do not have that strong protein taste that some shakes have.
Fairlife Vanilla Protein Shake 12 pk | BJ's Wholesale Club
There are plenty of flavors to choose from, but I've created MANY recipes using the plain vanilla (even created a dupe dubai chocolate flavor 😋)
Premier Protein Shakes
This is helpful for adding extra protein to soups, broths, mashed foods, and drinks without changing the flavor too much.
Isopure : Protein Powders
This is a good option when you need protein but are completely tired of creamy shakes.
Protein2o
Warm broth gives you something savory when you are beyond tired of sweet protein drinks.
Great Value Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth 32 oz Shelf ...
Bone broth is another comforting savory option that usually has more protein than regular broth.
Bone Broth
This can make protein shakes thicker, creamier, and taste more like an actual dessert...or eat as a snack
Sugar Free Pudding
A small blender makes it easy to create smooth protein shakes without pulling out a huge appliance.
Pitcher Blenders & Personal Smoothie Makers – Ninja
This is perfect for quickly mixing protein powder into drinks without leaving a bunch of clumps
Milk Frothers & Steamers in Coffee Shop
This keeps your soup or broth warm while you slowly sip or eat it.
Travel Soup Mugs: Stainless Steel & Insulated Options
Bariatric Vitamins, Supplements, & More
Vitamin organizers and bariatric-friendly supplement options to help support your surgeon’s recommended routine.
A complete bariatric vitamin helps cover nutrients that may be harder for your body to absorb after surgery.
Bariatric Fusion Chewable
These can be easier to take than large calcium pills, especially when swallowing feels different after surgery.
Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate 500mg Chewable
This may help with larger pills, but make sure your medical team says the medication is safe to split or crush.
Pill Crushers and Splitters in Daily Living Aids
B12 is commonly needed after bariatric surgery because absorption can decrease depending on your procedure.
Bariatric Advantage SpeedyMelts Vitamin B12 - 1000 mcg
Iron may be recommended if your levels are low, but always follow your surgeon or doctor’s instructions.
Iron Chewable
Just because you had the surgery doesn't mean you won't have a desire for snacks. Just make sure they give you something your body needs... hit those protein goals!
Protein Chips in Protein Snacks
Portion Control/Kitchen Tools
Small containers, measuring tools, and kitchen essentials that make bariatric portions easier to prepare and store.
This helps you understand what your portions actually weigh instead of accidentally serving yourself too much.
Digital Weighing Scales
When you are eating only a few tablespoons, measuring spoons are honestly more useful than regular serving utensils.
Measuring Spoons
Smaller utensils encourage you to take smaller bites and slow yourself down while eating.
Appetizer Forks & Utensils | Silverware Sets
Eating from smaller dishes makes your portion look more satisfying and less depressing.
Small Dishes | Glass, Steel, Ceramic | Microwave & Dishwasher Safe
This lets you blend soups directly inside the pot without creating a sink full of dishes.
Immersion Blenders in Blenders
This is fun for making small egg, cheese, or protein-based meals once your plan allows them.
Dash Ceramic Nonstick Mini Waffle Maker
A food processor is helpful for getting meat, vegetables, and soft foods to the correct texture.
Food Processors
This makes it easier to carry your protein drinks, small meals, and snacks without worrying about spills.
Lunch Boxes & Bags
Because there may be many individual ricotta bake nights in the future...or other creative dishes!
Ramekins : Casseroles & Baking Dishes
These let you freeze tiny portions so food does not go to waste when you can only eat a few bites.
Freezer Trays for Food Storage and Prep
Body Change and Recovery Supports
Comfortable clothing and self-care items that can help with swelling, tenderness, walking, and everyday recovery.
Helps give support to your body while it's healing and restructuring
Women's Shapewear Fajas | Tummy Control & Compression
Underwire can feel uncomfortable after abdominal surgery, so a soft supportive bra is much easier to tolerate
Wireless Bras | All-Day Comfort & Support
These can feel supportive once your surgeon approves them, but they should never be so tight that they hurt.
PS by POPSUGAR Work It High Waisted 7/8 Legging
These give gentle support without the uncomfortable pressure of tight shapewear.
Support Underwear for Women - Shapewear & Lifter ...
Body changes and increased walking can cause rubbing, so this helps protect sensitive areas.
Anti-Chafing Creams & Sticks | Chafe Prevention Solutions
Walking is a major part of recovery, so comfortable supportive shoes are worth having.
Women's Walking Shoes
Sometimes the scale does not move, but your measurements will show that your body is still changing.
Tape Measure Body
This gives you a place to track your meals, fluids, symptoms, victories, and how far you have come.
Journals
When Working Out is a Thing
Getting back to exercise after surgery is an important part of your recovery, but it needs to happen gradually and only when your surgeon says it is safe!
This can be a gentle way to ease back into movement and work your muscles, but definitely wait until your surgeon clears you because your body is still healing.
Vibration Plates in Exercise & Fitness Accessories
These are great for gradually building strength later, but only after your doctor clears you for exercise.
Resistance Bands in Exercise & Fitness Accessories
Of coarse this will keep much later after you've healed and cleared. But this is a low maintenance way to stay on track. And fun!
Infinity Hoop
This is great for building strength and getting a full-body workout at home, but wait until your surgeon clears you for lifting and start light.
Kettle Bells Weights
Walking pad
This makes it easy to get your steps in at home, especially when the weather is bad or you are not ready for a full gym workout.
Walking Pads | DICK'S Sporting Goods
This lets you move your legs while sitting, which is helpful on days when you do not feel up to a full workout...or stuck at your desk
Under Desk Elliptical Trainers
A cushioned mat makes stretching, floor exercises, and gentle strength workouts much more comfortable.
Yoga Mats - DICK'S Sporting Goods
This can help loosen tight muscles and relieve soreness after walking or working out.
Foam Muscle Rollers | DICK'S Sporting Goods
These can add a little more resistance to leg exercises, but they should be used lightly and not during early recovery walks.
Sports Ankle Weights | DICK'S Sporting Goods
This can make regular walking more challenging later in your journey, but it is definitely not something to use until you are fully healed and cleared.
Weighted Vest Workout