What things did you need/would have been helpful immediately post op?

I'm wanting to help someone that is preparing for surgery. I was wanting to give the a list of ideas of what would be good to have/do in preparation for surgery, but I  had my surgery over 7 years ago and my memory is failing me. Thinking of things like having protein powders or vitamin samples to try, blender ball shaker bottle, crystal light packs, etc. Heck, some people even get baby spoons and tiny bowls. Anything to make it easier!

So what things did you find helpful immediately following surgery (or even things for just before)?

Thanks for your suggestions!!

Help! My family was with me in the hospital and after I came home. Also a lot of different flavor a of protein and lots of bottles of water. And comfy looks fitting clothes 

Lip balm, Mirilax and Gas-X strips would be helpful items.

Food scale and measuring cups - spoons. 

Herbal teas..decaf coffee.. Wet wipes... Lol.. Supositories..

Chicken broth, beef broth, unflavored protein powder to add to broths, chux pads for the bed (the catheter made me a bit leaky for a few days-I nabbed a few from the hospital), chapstick (for hospital), Tic Tacs or SF Altoids, wet wipes or take home the ones they use in the hospital.

All of the above are great ideas.  I also had a heating pad that helped tremendously. Good luck to your friend on their WLS journey!

Tiny plates (I used salad size, appetizer forks (the super tiny ones, glad 1/2 cup with lids)

digital scale

good food processor

protein powders

decaf coffee

flavored sugar free syrups

decaf teas

comfy blanket

comfy clothes ( I got yoga pants and tops)

blender ball

Have them clean their kitchen out. Throw away any crap that they shouldn't eat. Remind them that throwing stuff away is okay. We are not human trash cans.

I will say measuring cups and spoons. I think getting their kitchen in order helps to. 

Small serving bowls and plates.

Vitamin/med organizer--and a plan for organizing these things

Herbal teas--cold tap water hurt my pouch and tasted metallic

Liquid vitamins, liquid calcium citrate (for the first few weeks the pills were too difficult)

Sign up for some kind of food tracker, like My Fitness Pal--get to know it

A good scale--I would recommend the FitBit Aria

Related to the scale, I would suggest the "Trend Weight" web site, which is a VERY SIMPLE site some engineer created, that will take the digital readings from any wireless-connected scale (like the Aria)--it not only keeps track for you, but uses algorithms to smooth the curve and help you see your weight loss without the little blips that occur on a daily basis.  It is helpful for understanding "real" weight loss over time, and predictions based on your recent habits.  It is not an app, but it can work like a simple app if you put a button link to its hone page on your electronic device.

And by the way, if you are 7 years out, would you share with us a little about how things have gone for you post WLS, as you have tried to maintain your weight loss?

Repost from me - hope this helps:

• Crystal Light - various flavors. My number one...
• Sugar free popsicles were a must have for me. Popsicle brand only (store brands like Kroger/Publix are sweetened with sorbitol and did a number on my stomach).
• A step-stool to get up and in to my bed
• Miralax
• Ready to drink protein shakes in a few different flavors
• Plastic 3 oz cups to pour shakes in to (so that I could refrigerate the rest until ready)
• Dannon Lite & Fit protein yogurt (no fruit) - check w/your plan on when this is ok
• Various broths
• A white noise machine in the hospital since I was right outside the nurse's station
• Pads/tampons (There are a few of us that started periods that weren't due...I wasn't due for 2 weeks)