Expensive to live as a post-op WLS patient????

Hi, I've posted a few times, still researching whether or not I'm opting for laproscopic gastric bypass, or lap band surgery. Does it get to be expensive after weight loss surgery?? With all the protein shakes, vitamins, etc. that you MUST take to not have malnutrition issues and other health issues. I'm a single mom and I do not make a great amount of money. I really need to walk into this with wide open eyes. I'd appreciate your honesty. Thank you so much. Suzy

Suzy, Hi, I definately spent more money berfor this surgery on every diet there was.....Weigh****chers (I bought 10 weeks and went once), HerbalLife($250), Jenny Craig "Gold Membership" ($300).....LA weight loss....(you buy 1year upfront, vitamins etc....$500....) Trimspa...and many, many others!!!! You can get samples of the shakes, try them, and then buy more....and the vitamins are not expensive. Some people do shakes only int the beginning. I personally spent about $50at the vitamin shop for my shakes (dry, I mix it) and vitamins. I am now 7 weeks post -op and only drink a shake at night if I didnt get in enough protein. Anyway this is my experience. Hope it helps a bit. Janean

Since my surgery the family grcocery bill has been reduced significantly, and the cost for the protein supplements that I take are $15/box of seven protein drink packets (available at my surgeon's ofc). This may seem like a lot in the beginning b/c you consume more protein drinks for the first 1-4 months post-op, then you are able to meet your required protein intake via the food you consume, then you are buying less protein drinks. Honestly, the most expensive thing for me has been clothes... I'm so excited about being abale to wear a 13/14, I get a little carried away at the Outlet

Susan, Think about all the money you will be saving on fast food and just in food in general, you will be eating so little at the start. Some vitamins will cost you but that is really the only thing you will need for life. The protein drinks and such will decrease in use once you can eat more to get your protein in. I think the most expensive part is getting all the stuff up front, the first time you buy everything at once you can feel it. I am still getting stuff a little at a time, some protein drinks you liked before now I can not stand.. I would say try samples before purchasing the whole jar because they can get expensive. I do say that when you get fresh fruits, veggies and good meats it is more expensive then when you can get a couple boxes of mac and cheese or Romain(sp?) Noodles. Take care Debra P

Suzy, I use a protein powder (Any Whey $20.00) that lasts about 1 month and add it to Carb Count Down Milk. I buy my Calcium and Multi Vitamin at Sams for under $15.00 for a 3 month supply. I don't eat out often, but when I do I can share with my family. My grocery bill is much less...I don't keep the foods that I used to in the house. The only bill that is different is my cloths.. I do allot of shopping at second hand stores right now....and splurge once in a while on something too pretty to pass up. I wish you the best of luck with your journey. Clarissa 280/205/160

My food bill is so much less. I can't eat bags of chips and snacks and candy like I use to. I only drank the protein shakes for a couple of weeks after surgery in order to get my protein in. After that, I just rely on protein in the food I eat during the day. I usually have about 6 bites of anything I'm eating and can't eat another thing. My vitamins and calcium chews are generic. I can't eat my kids food that they like to have around so that lasts a lot longer too. However, take the money that you save from not eating as much and save it to buy new clothes. I'm trying not to buy anything until I stop my rapid loss but have had to buy a few things because nothing would stay up on me. I am not spending a lot on clothes until I absolutely have to. Then I plan on doing kmart and second hand stores until I get to my goal weight. Good luck.

I am also a single mom, so I can identify with what you are saying. It may seem like a huge expense initially. There are a lot of companies out there that have discovered us [wls patients] and are making a killing selling expensive supplements and protein based foods. I am here to tell you that the proteins and vitamins [the Solotron chewables are less than half the cost of OptiSource] at GNC are a heckuva lot less expensive than the "designer" web businesses and just as good for you. Also, I have purchased a lot of that stuff at Big Lots, believe it or not. I thought I was in dog heaven when I found Balance Gold protein bars for a quarter apiece. And I have replaced my wardrobe several times over from the local thrift stores. As long as I know I am gonna continue to shrink, I am NOT paying for brand new stuff that will not fit in a few months. In addition, your local support group may have clothing exchanges. If I could do this, you can too!