Question:
Did you save money not having to buy so much groceries?

Was wondering if there really was a savings on groceries when we have to buy vitamins and supplements. Seems like what I now normally buy in a week can last me a month!! The reason I ask is a job offer from my church that I would be oh so much more happier at than I am at my current job however the pay is less. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer (prognosis excellent) but my perspective has changed and I want to do things that make me happy and worthwhile so I am considering this job. So, for a single person how much do you think you spend a month on your groceries and supplements?    — Marie L. (posted on November 13, 2000)

November 13, 2000
Frankly I think I spend about the same or maybe even a bit more. Between vitamins and supplements, but also because I buy better things. I buy healthier things that tend to be more expensive. Does this make sense? Looking forward to others answers about this.
   — Denise S.

November 13, 2000
I have to agree with Denise. I am currently one year post-op Lap proximal RNY. I spend about $50 per week on groceries (food and paper goods etc.). I also live just north of San Francisco where the cost of everything is quite high. I found that my grocery bill only dropped for the first few months and then started to climb right back up to where it was pre-op. I buy higher quality food now and don't waste my time or limited pouch space on cheaper filler food.
   — Jilda H.

November 13, 2000
OOhh, tough question! I do tend to agree somewhat with the previous replies, but then again.... One big difference for me is that I now eat NO fast food, at all. It's true, the food I buy now is better, healthier food. Where I used to buy a 16 oz steak for about $5.00, I now buy a 4 or 5 oz tenderloin for about $5.00. I still think, over all, tho, I spend less on food than I used to, but I probably spend more than I thought I would. Another difference for me is that I eat out a lot more now. That way, my family isn't always stuck with what I'm eating. It's probably not a good idea to COUNT on saving money on your food after surgery. However, an enjoyable job you like & are happy at is worth quite a bit! Just my unsolicited opinion. :)
   — Kathy W.

November 13, 2000
I definitely haven't saved money on groceries but I may be breaking even. I find I now crave more expensive meat items. Before surgery I'd be happy with hamburger or a cheap cut of steak, now I want filet mignon (I think it's mostly because of the tenderness). I crave broiled seafood and prior to surgery I didn't eat much. Though I am buying better types of meat/fish, the quantites are small so I'm sure it's balancing out. As far as snacking goes I found a wonderfuly product, honey roasted soy nut (the other brands are nasty to me). At around $4 a bag it lasts me the week.
   — Mary A.

November 13, 2000
I have a huge savings in food cost. Rarely lunch out during the day, no fast food. I usually finish what my girls don't eat rather than making my own plate to cut down on waste. I went from shopping at least once per week to shopping only twice a month. My vitamins are relatively inexpensive and my protein is about $20 per can. I try to get as much protein as possible, so I don't drink it everyday. I would advise you, however, to check into your insurance coverage if it changes with your job. You don't want to wind up being considered pre-existing and have no payment for wls related treatment. Best wishes to you.
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 14, 2000
Hi! I have found that I too seem to prefer quality over quantity. (well, I don't really have a choice about the quantity!) I buy things now that I wouldn't have bought pre-op. For instance, I get 1/2 lb of white meat chicken salad..I wouldn't have bought it before because it would have been too expensive because I would have needed 2 lbs or so. But since I purchase items in such small quantities, I can afford choice cuts of meat, high-quality deli items, and good cheeses. So, in response to your question, my grocery bill is not significantly cheaper, but I am eating a much higher quality of food.
   — Holly G.

November 14, 2000
Oh My God YES! There are always left overs in the refrigerator now and it seems we only shop once a month now. The old speech of "I don't eat nearly as much as I look like I do" and "I have a slow metabolism" were my big lies! But I believed it!
   — Guy C.

November 14, 2000
First of all, congrats on your positive outlook on life. I am pleased to hear your cancer prognosis is excellent. These types of life changing experiences do make us think about what's really important in the grand scheme of things and being happy is at the top of the list. I cannot tell you exactly how much I spend on groceries and supplements after WLS. But I do believe that I save a lot of money. First of all, my portions are so small that a little food goes a long way. Yes, I do buy supplements and protein, but they last a while, and supplements are cheaper at discount stores like WalMart. A big place where I save is with lunches at work. I used to spend $7-$10 per day between lunches and all the snack food I used to eat throughout the day. Now it's a trickle of that. I also do not buy all the junk food when I go grocery shopping so that's another area of savings. Most trips to a restaurant are the same way, and even if I do pay for a full meal, it just means I have leftovers for at least 1-2 other meals. I also went on a soul searching job hunt - I wanted to get into the non-profit area. Now my results did not turn out the way I had initially hoped - I could not find a job that paid enough, but the fact that I did all the research and came to that conclusion myself was in itself a good part of the journey. I even did a 5 week course through a local women's center with many others who were also job soul searching. I can say that I at least tried and gave it a good effort. And as it turned out, I did find a higher paying corporate job that I am very happy with right now. Best of luck to you on your life's journey! :):):)
   — Paula G.