Bariatric Foodie’s Best Resources for Weight Loss Surgery Pre-Ops

Before we get to the business of the day, have you read about the Bariatric Foodie “Play with My Food” Contest? If you haven’t, go check it out! You could win $50 in Amazon money just for playing with your food!

And if you have any questions, here’s some additional clarification.

Now, back to the order of the day. I’ve deemed this week a “Pre-Op Love Fest.” That means we’re going to focus on preparing for surgery. We’ll share recipes or the first weeks after surgery, tips for coping and, at the end of the week, there will be a brand spanking new Bariatric Foodie resources JUST for pre-ops!

Speaking of resources, there are quite a few on Bariatric Foodie already that can help you get your head in the right place for surgery. So in no particular order, here are my top five favorites!

#1: The “Pureed Foods” and “Soft Foods” recipe tags

Most of you look at the current blog post when you visit BF but if you scroll down a bit further, on the right-hand side, you’ll see recipe categories. If you click on them, you’ll see (almost) all my recipes that fit that category. If you’re looking for good foods for the puree and soft foods stage, check these out. TIP: At the bottom of the page you’ll see a link that says “View Older Posts.” That’s how you get to the next page.

#2: BF Basics Series

These are short, five-part series on basic nutrition. The following series are available NOW by clicking on the “Foodie Resources” link at the top of the page:

Sugar Shock: Sugar can be confusing! How do you know what’s o.k. (like did you know there is even sugar in milk?) and what to avoid? This primer will give you the information you need to make informed decisions!
Carb Confusion: Carbs are our nemesis after surgery! Or are they? Learn what a carb is and why we all need some (yes, even simple ones!) in our post-op lives.
The Nutrition Label: If you’re anything like me, the nutrition label can confuse the heck out of you! This series gives you a tour of the nutrition label, what to look for and what to run from!
Veggie Tales: Vegetarians! You, too, can eat high-protein diets after weight loss surgery! Penned by fellow vegetarian post-op Kelly Morris, this series will give you the information you need to survive post-op life without meat!

#3: Bariatric Foodie Restaurant/Food Place Survival Guides

Because sometimes you just can’t get out of going out to eat. The restaurant guides are mostly restaurant specific and break down the very best choices you can make. Then there are guides to various specialty grocery stores and even on on how to eat sushi after surgery (yes, it is possible!)

Here are the Survival Guide offerings currently on Bariatric Foodie:

And there are even Survival Guides for life’s most challenging post-op situations:

These can also be found on the “Foodie Resources” page!

#4: Bariatric Foodie on Facebook/Twitter

There’s so many Foodies on Facebook and Twitter. In fact, they are there there RIGHT NOW talking about their worries, fears, challenges and triumphs. We talk food, I cook food and share as I cook and much, much more! Plus you never know when I’ll get the urge to give stuff away!

#5: The Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein Shakes

Life can be stressful. Your protein shake shouldn’t be! This book gives you recipes, tips and tricks to transform your protein shake from something you force yourself to choke down into something you look forward to drinking. Click here to read the reviews and to purchase your copy today!

BONUS #6: The Bariatric Foodie Recipe Index

In THEORY, this is all the recipes I’ve developed for Bariatric Foodie. In reality, it is MOST of them (I am currently in the process of updating!). But this gives you a good idea of what’s here. TIP: At the bottom of each post are other food posts that you might like. Check them out, but be warned: it’s addicting! You may find that hours have flown by looking at food porn and reading recipes!

So welcome to the Foodie Nation, pre-ops! Check back each day this week for more information and recipes to help pre-ops learn more about the bariatric lifestyle and prepare for a successful surgery transition.

Until then, play with your food!