Shopping for must-have gizmos and gadgets???

Hi all, A very good friend of mine gave me a "congrats" gift gertificate to Bed Bath and Beyond when she found out I am having WLS. Nice, huh? So I have a quick question for all you posties out there. Any must-have prep, weigh, measure etc. gizmos and gadgets you have found helpful???? I want to be set prior to having my August surgery. Right now, all I have is a regular big ole blender. Any other suggestions on how I could spend my gift $$$$ wisely (and responsibly!)? THANKS MUCH Kit

Hi Ms. Kitty!! Thats a really nice friend that you have to do something like that!! Very thoughtful! Can you introduce that person to me so that I can tell them when my surgery date is?? Just kidding! But that was a very thoughtful gesture, it's obvious that you surrouind yourself with caring people!! -Joe-

Yeah, she is pretty great. I was afraid to tell her because I thought she might have a negative response -- like most people I know have. I never kept secrets from her and I don't know how I did this one for the past year plus! And I figured she'd be hurt I didn't confide in her like I usually do. We've been best friends since kindergarten and we are now 46 years old. That's a LONG, long time!

Hey, Here is a couple of items to think about if you don't have...Regular or mini food processor and a smoothie maker also a Tupperware shaker cup...Kitchen food scale..... ~Shay

Shay, Thanks for the suggestions. Hey, I just noticed we (you, Joe and me) are all August losers. Pretty cool. Too bad our dates aren't closer or we could have been hospital buddies. Looks like I'll be the first to go, so I will get 'em ready for you both! Kit

Kit WOW what a nice friend!! I have a stick blender (ya know...the boat motor) that I use every day. I had been thinking about getting a small food processor, but would have never used it. I stuck to pureed soups and multigrain cereal and avoided chicken and heavy meats, so I really didn't need it. Other than that...measuring cups are a good friend to me!! and lots of small gladware containers. I would make a batch of soup and divide it into individual servings. Leave some in the fridge and freeze some. Ken

Thanks Ken. You really have some good ideas there. I just started posting on the board mid-April so I feel like I've gone through your surgery (at least the couple days before and post-op). My "fav" thing about the board, one among many, is seeing all the advice the posties have for the premies. TAKE CARE, Kit

Howdy, Since you asked. I am a gadget and gizmo geek. I have never seen a gadget I didn't love. I could not have survived without a Smoothie maker. We bought the Back to Basic 600 and use it at three to four times a day. A mini-food processor is great during the first stage after surgery. It gives you an opportunity to try a lot of solid foods in the purreed stage like tuna salad, eggs, chicken salad, etc. It gives you a lot more variety than living off soups. I also have a lot of extra measuring spoons and cups so I don't have to spend a lot of time washing up after every meal. Didn't really have any use for a scale since most things are based on 1/4 and 1/3 cup and not weight. Another item to think about if you are working after surgery is to look for some containers for your protein shakes and drinks. I take two to work every day, so I only worry about lunch and liquids. Gadget Geek. Rob

ROB, Thanks!!! Next to cats (hence my nickname), I LOVE gadgets too! I was afraid that if I DIDN'T ask I'd go wild and fill a cart with lots of useless stuff. You think you're a gizmo geek -- I have an addiction to coffeemakers --- don't laugh --- SO I have an espresso maker (manual), and an electric espresso maker, and 3 types of manual percolators, and a small 4-cup and large 12-cup drip coffeemakers, and a coffeemaker that grinds the beans and then brews, an iced coffeemaker, and I just got the Senseo (which is a cross between an espresso maker and single cup pressure brewer). You use coffee pods and thank goodness they make them in decaf so I can use it after surgery! I probably forgot about some "coffemaker orphan" that has gotten stuck in my "appliance cemetery." Actually, I am double lucky, because my birthday is in July (a couple of weeks before my surgery) so I am going ask for $$ so I can buy more gadgets BUT I PROMISE NO COFFEEMAKERS>

One of those really small food chopper/processers - electric type that hold about 2 cups. I still want one of them...