Work Smarter, Not Harder: 10 Tech Tools to Support Your WLS Journey

Article By: Whittany Gibson, RDN

Whittany is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who specializes in bariatric nutrition counseling, providing education and support prior to and following weight loss surgery.

If you're like most people, you probably rely on technology to help support your weight loss goals. When you’ve had bariatric surgery, tracking progress is invaluable. After all, you’ve gone through this life changing surgery, and the last thing you want to do is veer off track or compromise your success. In this blog post, we will discuss 10 essential tech tools that can help you lose weight and track your progress. These gadgets and tools can make the process of losing weight a lot easier, and they can help keep you accountable. If this sounds like what you’re looking for, keep reading!

1) Smart scales. Smart scales can track your weight daily and give you accurate measurements. You can even sync these scales with an app to keep track of your progress over time. Tracking metrics other than just your weight (body fat percentage, lean mass, etc), can be a source of motivation since it may sometimes feel like you’re not losing weight, when in reality, other things are happening “behind the curtains” like gaining lean mass, losing inches, and decreasing body fat.

2) Wearable fitness trackers. Wearable trackers are a must-have for anyone who is serious about losing weight. Trackers can monitor your steps, calories burned, and distance traveled. It's a great way to keep yourself motivated and stay on track, often times giving you alerts or reminders to get moving when you’ve been inactive for too long.

3) Smartphone apps. There are hundreds of weight loss apps available that focus on much more than just weight loss alone. Some even offer diet plans, recipes, help with goal setting, stretching, meal planning, etc. It’s important to know what types of apps would be useful to you specifically. In what area could you use more accountability or help? Personally, I’m a fan of meditation and mindfulness apps. Bariatric surgery can be mentally taxing on top of managing your day-to-day work or family life. These apps offer guidance around managing your time and taking care of your mind so you can truly focus on balancing your weight loss goals with every day life.

4) Meal delivery services. Meal delivery services are not technically a tech tool, but they do make your life easier! These services make it easy to stick to a healthy diet by delivering pre-portioned meals right to your door. All you have to do is heat up the food when you're ready to eat! Navigating nutrient requirements can be a little tricky following bariatric surgery, but don’t make it complicated. Portion your meals appropriately and make your “one portion” into smaller appropriate portions for your new stomach. Also ensure your meals are protein-focused with high fiber carbs and healthy fats.

5) Smart kitchen appliances. Smart kitchen appliances like air fryers and slow cookers make it easy to whip up healthy meals without spending much time in the kitchen. Plus, you can use these gadgets to experiment with new recipes. Need ideas? Most of these appliances come with simple cookbooks, or you can easily find appliance specific cookbooks online.

6) Calorie counters. If you want an easier way to track your calories, ditch the notebook and try using a calorie counting app like Baritastic. You can enter the foods you eat, and the app will calculate your daily caloric intake. Using an app like Baritastic can eliminate a lot of the confusion when it comes to bariatric specific goals like counting calories, managing your supplements, or practicing new eating behaviors. Other apps don’t know you’ve had bariatric surgery and can give you inappropriate goals unless you set them up yourself.

7) Online fitness classes. If you're not a fan of going to the gym, online fitness classes make it easy to stay in shape from the comfort of your home. You can find everything from yoga and Pilates to HIIT workouts online so you can always stay on top of your fitness goals. Utilize your smart TV and download apps like YouTube or Amazon Prime to search exercises or live classes.

8) Virtual dietitians. For personalized advice and guidance, a dietitian working virtually can provide the convenience and support you need to stay on track. If you have had weight loss surgery, ensure you are choosing someone who specializes in bariatric nutrition. They can ensure you are sticking with an appropriate diet plan and meeting nutrition recommendations, taking the appropriate bariatric multivitamins, staying hydrated, and overall making sure you are nutritionally sound.

9) Social media platforms. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram can be great sources of support... If used in a healthy way! Use social media for more than just meaningless scrolling. Use these platforms to support your knowledge and goals. Follow others who have had weight loss surgery, or follow dietitians and coaches. They are all there to offer support, information, and education in an entertaining fashion. This is a great way to stay engaged with your new lifestyle.

10) Weight loss support groups. Joining a weight loss support group online is a great way to get motivation, advice, and encouragement from others on the same journey. You can connect with like-minded people, share your experiences and successes, and support one another. Aim to join smaller private groups or just stick with the group in your program. Large groups can be overwhelming and can cause more stress rather than being helpful.

These 10 essential tech tools make it much easier to stay on track with your weight loss goals and track your progress over time. Finding helpful gadgets and resources that work for you can give you the extra support you need to succeed. Why not give one of these tech tools a try today? You might realize what you've been missing!

BariMelts provides general recommendations, not to be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor.