Grocery bill?

I know that someone's finance's are their own business. But personally I am not too worried about the surgery and getting through it. What I AM worried about is buying all the SF & FF stuff after the surgery. That might seem silly. But I know that the SF stuff is more expensive than the stuff that is bad for you. We are a low income family (a one income family.) And it's only by luck shining on us that I can afford the surgery. I just want to know if your grocery bill went up after surgery? Or does the eating smaller portions even it out? This may not make sense but it is one of my worries so I thought I would just throw it out there since you guys are so supportive of each other. Thanks.

It's perfectly normal to worry about money & food post-op. It shows that you're actually preparing for your new lifestyle change, which is a great thing!

My bill stayed about the same since I didn't see a huge difference between the sugar free priced stuff and the sugary stuff. I'd say my lunch bill has gone down a lot since I don't go to McDonalds or other fast food places for lunch anymore. Now I usually bring something from home.

We also always have left overs; I try to find recipies for things that will taste good the next day, like pot roast or baked chicken. We also stopped doing side-dishes, so I'm saving money on not buying things like flavored rice, spaghetti, frozen french fries, etc.

- Christine

I am definitely ready to change the way I eat. I am actually excited to start on the liguid diet (ignorance is bliss, I know.) We do spend alot on fast food on top of the groceries. So it will most likely even out. I just don't want to jump in and then realize I can't afford to keep up the lifestyle change. I am not much of a cooker and that will have to change. But the upside is that my DH will lose weight with me. He found out last night, at the WLS seminar, that his BMI is 40. I think that got to him. Thanks.

You have done amazing, by the way, Christine.

Aww, you're too flattering. Thank you.

Like I have always said.....Fat free = Taste free.

Totally! I'll get the light stuff as far as fat goes, but not the stuff that's totally fat free. Blech.

I would recommend keeping track of your food expenses now and after surgery to compare...To me it seems like maybe I spend more on grocery trips throughout the week...I have a wife and two small kids and spend about a combined 200 dollars a week on one big trip to the store and an average of two small incidental trips during the week. I always watch what I spend, buying store brands when available and shopping at wal-mart and costco....It sounds like a lot, but I seriously spent at least 100 dollars a week on fast food before surgery, and not that much less on groceries....Will your grocery bill go up, sure it will, but the savings from cooking it yourself and eating less will offset it plus some.... You will notice though that those 99cent specials for a big ole double cheeseburger at mcdonalds will really sound like  a good deal though, but just don't go there....isn't it a shame how food that is horrible for you is also the cheapest and easiest to get your hands on!

Okay so FF stuff is blech. Thanks Brock and Christine.  I will remember that because I honestly didn't know that. Shows how much FF stuff I eat now to not know that. That sounds about right. I spend $200. on the big trip to the grocery store twice a month now. And it is just me, my D(dear)H and 1 baby. It definitely sounds more do-able. Plus there is nothing to keep me from pricing and stocking up on non perishables now. Finding out what protien shakes i like. Yae! Now I have a plan of action and being slightly OCD that is what I want. I am a list maker always have been. My DH says that having one thing to obsess about keeps me from worrying about all the little things.

Be careful about going protien shake crazy pre-op because your tastes will likely change.  See if you can get samples to use post-op when you get to the point of adding protien shakes to your diet, and from there figure out what your new tummy wants, that way you don't end up with tubs of protien powder or gallons of protien shakes you liked pre-op, but can't stand post-op.