Question:
What do you spend on a months worth of supplements post op?

How much do you spend for a month's worth of vaitamins, calcium, etc? I've been checking different sources of vitamins and am realizing that I'll be spending more than my surgeon had indicated on vitamins, calcium, B-12. How much do you spend per month on these things? (not counting protein supplements) and How much do you spend on protein supplements?    — Laura K. (posted on March 23, 2003)

March 23, 2003
Hi there! Here's what I pay. I have prescription Iron ($5 copay), Solaray 3-a-day vitamins-without iron ($22), Solaray chewable Vitamin C ($7 - actually $3.50 since it lasts 2 months), GNC liquid B-12 ($10 - actually $5 since it lasts 2 months), and GNC chewable calcium ($8). So that makes a total of $44.50 a month on suppliments. I spend about $35 a month more on my whey protien (chocolate is the best) from GNC. The money is worth the energy and good blood tests that I have. I'm 5 months post-op and down 45 pounds since 11/5/02.
   — Laurie C.

March 23, 2003
I spend 5 bucks on childrens chewable with iron, and take 2 day, so it lasts a little over a month. I bought calcium citrate from vitalady for 15.00, and it has 75 doses in it...so a little over 2 months. I bought 100 b12 sublinguals for 3.99 so lasts a few months. I bought a big ole thing of champion pure whey stack in chocholate for $45, I had 2 shakes in the beginning and one shake now..have had it for 2 months and have about another months worth. Don't make it more expensive than it has to be!
   — thekatinthehat

March 23, 2003
I get all my stuff at Walmart and actually just had to restock my supply since surgery, which was a little over 7 weeks ago. I bought Flintstones multivitamins for around $6, which will last me a month, b12 for $5, which will last a month and a half, iron was $6 for 2 months supply, calcium was $8 for a month and a half. I haven't had to replenish my vit c yet, I bought a huge bottle of chewable ones from giant eagle last time for $5 so I'm still working on them. I have yet to find a protein shake a can stomach so I'm still wasting money on trying those out.
   — Dee ,.

March 23, 2003
I take Calcium Citrate, iron, children's chewable multivitamins, chewable Vitamin C, Dry Vitamin E, Dry Vitamin A & D, Biotin, and sublingual B12. I get most of my supplements from www.vitalady.com. The prices are reasonable and the bottles are huge and last a long time. I recently averaged out what I'm spending a month, and it came to $30.00--a lot less than I was spending on prescription meds pre-op!!! Not sure how much I'm spending on protein supplements, probably about $30.00 a month on those, too. Considering I can eat lunch all week on $10.00 or less, $30.00 a month is not much to supplement my protein!
   — Want2bslim

March 24, 2003
I go to Sam's Wholesale Club and get my calcium citrate and a multivitamin. The two will last several months and cost less than $25. I take B12 injections and that costs about $20 for 6 months supply. I've never done protein supplements, but I do work out with weights. This helps protect my muscles. I eat protein first, never have caffeine, drink tons of water and avoid artificial sweeteners. I'm almost 2 years post op, maintaining a 135-140 lbs. weight loss and down from a size 24 to a size 2-4. Life is good and it's a whole lot cheaper that all the medications I used to need, plus all the commercial fad diets I was constantly trying. Another money saver, my husband and I now share entree's when we eat out. Our dining out bill is almost always 50% less than it would have been with WLS...
   — Teri D.

March 24, 2003
Real Meals - $45 a month I don't need additional vitamin b12, calcium or iron because it is already in the Real Meals. Vitamins - Bariatric Lifestyle Complete Nutritional System - $9.71 per month.
   — Linda A.