Show your loved ones you care with this Holiday Gift Guide for Bariatric Patients! Complete with helpful tools, comforting clothes, yummy foods, and more, this guide is full of the perfect gifts for bariatric surgery patients to help make their recovery as easy as possible. Keep reading to find the perfect option!
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Showing Your Support with Bariatric Surgery Gifts
For those who undergo bariatric surgery, the journey can be equal parts scary and lonely. After all, making a major lifestyle change is never an easy feat, especially during the holiday season. With lots of parties taking place, and decadent foods everywhere you turn, it can be easy for bariatric patients to feel isolated and struggle with surgery recovery. However, with the support of friends and family, the holidays can be a truly magical time full of love and support!
So, what better way to be there for the bariatric patient in your life than by giving them a thoughtful gift they’ll love? This holiday gift guide has you covered with gifts of all kinds! Take a look at the wide variety of ideas below to find the perfect bariatric surgery gifts.
How Can I Help My Friend?
One of the most common questions I receive is, “How can I help my family member after bariatric surgery?” Typically, friends and family don’t know what their loved ones will need or how to be there to help them.
Don’t worry, though!
Just by expressing your concern, you’re already doing a great job. However, this holiday gift guide has even more great ways to help the bariatric patients in your life!
The Best Holiday Gifs for Bariatric Patients
To help you find the perfect gift I’ve completed a list of recommendations so you can easily choose something they’ll love!
Kitchen
These kitchen tools will make meal prep easy after bariatric surgery and your loved one will be excited to get in the kitchen!
Air Fryer
Air Fryer – Air fryers can be used to cook everything from meat and vegetables to desserts! They add a nice crisp texture and flavor to foods without the need for extra oils and fats, making it easy to prepare low-calorie foods after surgery.
Meal Prep Containers
Meal Prep Containers – In order to stay on track with meal prep and weight loss goals after surgery, meal prep containers are a must. I really like this set from Rubbermaid, because it has a variety of sizes to accommodate the varying stages of recovery. Another great option is to use small mason jars. Whatever you choose, the key is to have containers that have a little extra room to eat out of and are completely leakproof. Generally, two-cup meal prep containers work well.
Blender
Blender – A blender is a great tool that can be used in all stages of bariatric recovery and well beyond! It’s the perfect option to create protein shakes, soups, and more to help your loved one stay satisfied after surgery.
Toaster Oven
Toaster Oven – Toaster ovens heat up super quickly, making it a great option to create single-serving meals after surgery.
Food Processor
Food Processor – Food processors are an excellent tool to easily prepare a wide variety of bariatric meals such as chopped vegetables, tomato soup, sauces, and even protein bites!
Instant Pot
Instant Pot – Instant Pots are a crockpot and pressure cooker rolled into one device. They’re a great option for a wide variety of recipes such as Pasta Fagioli. They also make it super easy to create quick meals perfect for single-servings or meal prep.
Kitchen Shears
Kitchen Shears – A pair of good kitchen shears can prove to be a super useful gift for bariatric patients! They’re an easy tool to cut meat and other foods into bariatric portions. 
Spiralizer
Spiralizer – For those who enjoy pasta, a spiralizer is the perfect gift as it can be used to create a low-carb alternative. They’re so helpful to make dishes such as Chicken Vegetable Fettuccine with veggies including zucchini, carrots, beets, cucumbers, and more!
Portion Plates
Portion Control Plates – Different from regular plates, bariatric portion plates can be a great tool to learn what appropriate serving sizes should look like after surgery.
Water Bottle
Water Bottle – Drinking water and staying hydrated is super important to prevent dehydration after bariatric surgery. So, having a fun water bottle is an easy way to stay motivated. I recommend gifting one that has measurable ounces. This makes it easy to help keep track of how much is being consumed throughout the day.
Nutrition/Health
These bariatric surgery gifts are sure to keep your loved one motivated and inspired to get in the gym and keep up with healthy habits to look and feel their best!
Gym Membership
Gym Membership – For those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle and progress their weight loss, a gym membership is a perfect gift! There are typically lots of promotions going on this time of year. So, I highly recommend looking around for the best deal.
FitBit
FitBits – A useful tool to stay on track with and motivated for exercise, FitBits are a nice gift that someone might not otherwise buy for themselves.
Bariatric Foodie StepBet Challenge
Bariatric Foodie StepBet Challenge – The StepBet challenge is a fun community event led by bariatric post-op Nikki, from Bariatric Foodie. The purpose of the StepBet challenge is to create motivation, accountability, and camaraderie. It’s a 6-week program that encourages members to move their bodies and develop a walking routine with the support of others. Check it out here to see when the next event begins and if it will align with your loved one’s recovery timeline.
iTunes Gift Card
iTunes Gift Card or Music Subscription – Listening to music, podcasts, and even books is a great way to stay motivated throughout workouts!
Workout Clothes
Workout Clothes – You can almost never go wrong with workout clothes. They’re comfortable and there’s nothing like a new outfit to inspire you to workout. Plus, they’re cozy to lounge around the house!
Health Magazine Subscription
Health Magazine Subscription – It is so much fun to receive something in the mail other than junk or credit card statements. A health magazine can be an excellent inspiration each month to continue to take care of your health. Choose a magazine that fits your loved one’s style such as Women’s Health, Reader’s Digest, Fitness Rx, Yoga Journal, or Cooking Light Magazine!
Bariatric Vitamins
Bariatric Vitamins – Vitamins may not be the most exciting gift ever. However, having a whole month’s supply already taken care of is just one less thing for a bariatric patient to have to worry about. It’s always a greatly appreciated gift.
Meal Plans
Meal Plans – Having bariatric meal plans available is a great way to make it easy to stay on track after bariatric surgery. This simple gift can be a huge relief for those who are overwhelmed with the lifestyle change.
Online Courses
Online Courses -For those who may not have access to a dietitian, gifting an online course is a great way to provide them with actionable knowledge they may not invest in themselves!
Miscellaneous
Whether you’re looking for bariatric gifts that are large or small, these miscellaneous items are super thoughtful and will put a smile on any patient’s face.
Clothing Store Gift Certificate
One of the biggest perks (among many) after bariatric surgery is buying new clothes. Patients often express how happy it makes them feel to be able to shop in a variety of clothing stores. Let people know which are your favorite stores and maybe a gift certificate will appear in your stocking this year.
Tea Infuser
Tea Infuser – Many programs recommend removing all coffee from a patient’s diet. (Although, these rules are becoming a bit more lax.) Therefore, gifting a tea infuser can help inspire your loved one to experiment with homemade teas. As a result, they can make the transition easier. Plus, the flavor from the infuser tends to be much stronger than what you get from tea bags.
Essential Oils
Essential Oils – The perfect post-op gift, essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, or rose can help patients relax. This is especially helpful in recovery!
Journal
Journals – Whether they’re used to track food, document one’s journey, express gratitude, or simply take notes, journals are always useful to have around. They’re also a great way for bariatric patients to be able to look back and reflect on how far they’ve come!
Bariatric Gift Box
Bariatric Gift Box – Nowadays, with boxes such as those from BariatricPal and My Bariatric Box, you can have a variety pack of different bariatric food options delivered right to the door! Although I prefer freshly prepared food, these options make great gifts.
Lotion
Lotion – During the winter months, our skin can become dry and dull, especially after having surgery. Lotion is the perfect gift to help make recovery as comfortable as possible. Not to mention, it provides a bit of a pick-me-up with a nice smell.
Support
Of course, gifts can come in all shapes and sizes and don’t always have to cost money. Take a look at the suggestions below to find easy ways to show your support.
Time
Time – Recovering from surgery is hard and can be a bit lonely at times. Simply spending a bit of time with someone after surgery can be an easy way to boost their mood and put a smile on their face.
Prepared Food
Prepared Food – The transition after surgery can be a bit overwhelming, As a result, patients often struggle to prepare foods that fit their new diet protocols. Therefore, receiving pre-made meals can be a huge weight off their chest. Just make sure to double-check their specific needs! Baribox will deliver prepared food right to your loved one’s door.
Attending Workout Classes
Attending Workout Classes – Workout classes can be intimidating and are way more fun with someone you know! Take an hour or so out of your day to get moving and support this new lifestyle. After all, it’s good for both of you!
Helpful Guides, Recipes, & More to Navigate the Holidays
- Tips for Managing the Holidays after Weight Loss Surgery
- Your Guide to the Soft Food Diet After Bariatric Surgery
- Your Ultimate Guide to the Bariatric Diet
- Your Guide to the Bariatric Pureed Diet
I hope you found this holiday gift guide helpful! If so, please share with others who would benefit.
