Hi Pre-op folks,

One year, 9 months ago, I was in the pre-op phase and my nutritionst was showing the bowls (small for children/todders) and utensils (baby toddle spoons) that I would be using post-op. She encouraged me to purchase these early, and learn how to eat slowly wiht those toddler spoons pre-op.

I didnt want to look like a toddler at work, so I purchased small dip bowls from crate and barrel that could only hold portions in 1 cup and 1/2 cup.  I have used these religiously at home and at work and I contribute them as a big part of my post-op success.

Long story short, many of these bowls met with ceramic tile this morning and broke. So off to crate and barrell out let I went.  While they didn't have my previous bowls they DID have 8 oz and 5 oz in the Rika pattern (looks like blueberries) for $2.97 and $1.97 respectively.

Pre-ops, it may be worthwhile to ask your nut/surgeon if you will be confined to particular volumes post op (I was). If so, it may be beneficial  to you to snag these small bowls NOW so you have pretty dishes to eat off of at work and home.

Having dishes of a pre-defined volume helps me, in the sense that I dont have to carry collapsible measuring cups to work. For example, I fill up the 5 oz bowl with a variety of food (e.g. protein and non-starchy veg) and I know that it is 5 oz.  Fill it up halfway with meet and you know you got about 2.5 oz of meat/protein.

Good luck!

L

Good advice, SS.  I tried the toddler spoon to get an idea how to keep myself out of trouble.  I give myself a D- score at taking tiny, well-chewed bites, a B score at eating small portions and an A score at using small-sized dinnerware.  Notice the best score has little to do with my hand or mouth.  A side plate and a sauce bowl will always be what I eat from. It took over two years for my DH to register a regular dinner plate will promptly be put back in the cupboard for me.  He gets an F score.

 "It took over two years for my DH to register a regular dinner plate will promptly be put back in the cupboard for me.  He gets an F score."

MINE TOO!  Tee hee. :)

I found some very inexpensive small Salsa bowls at Wal-Mart, the only hold about 1 cup. I use them all the time now, bought a half dozen of them. 

I like this suggestion!  I like flying "under the radar" most times with regard to my surgery and running around with tot-dinnerware inspires questions (especially since I am newlywed)!

:)

I bought the toddler 3 section plates from Walmart to use at home.  Also, I purchased the toddler 1 cup plastic containers with lids.  There are 4 or 5 in a pack.  I use these to take my food to work. I put my veggie serving on bottom and meat on top. 

I'm pre op= I like the pampered chef little prep bowls. they come in 1 cup and larger sizes- with a lid- perfect for leftovers also.

Cool. I love Pampered chef!!!

Please note, depending on your surgery, your first volume of solid food may be as small as  1/4 cup.

:)

There are little markers on the sides of these ones :)