Unexpected surprise expenses

[KC VSG 46]

So how is it that I've trolled this site and numerous Facebook support group sites for over a year and still have managed to be completely dumbfound on the prices associated with the post op life style? As my surgery date draws near (June 12th) I have decided to map out a list of all things I need to still purchase. I went online to bariatric advantages to purchase all my Vitamins. $191 later I now have a 3 mth supply! Wow! I knew they were going to be pricey but I wasn't prepared for that high of a number! Next I ordered my food scale $15 not bad, my single serve blender which was also not bad at just $15 and then went to price out some protein! Holy smokes $45 for a tub of zero carb isopure! Ok, ok, I'll just look for the premade Isopure drinks instead.....still $45 for a 12 pack! Yikes! Looks like I'm going to have to hold off a few weeks before that purchase!

[une nouvelle vie 327]

Just keep telling yourself that some of those expenses will drop off. Once I was six months out my doctor said I didn't have to take chewables anymore so I got away from the bariatric specific Vitamins and my costs have decreased dramatically.

[KC VSG 46]

That's good to know! Thanks!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

So how is it that I've trolled this site and numerous Facebook support group sites for over a year and still have managed to be completely dumbfound on the prices associated with the post op life style? As my surgery date draws near (June 12th) I have decided to map out a list of all things I need to still purchase. I went online to bariatric advantages to purchase all my Vitamins. $191 later I now have a 3 mth supply! Wow! I knew they were going to be pricey but I wasn't prepared for that high of a number! Next I ordered my food scale $15 not bad, my single serve blender which was also not bad at just $15 and then went to price out some protein! Holy smokes $45 for a tub of zero carb isopure! Ok, ok, I'll just look for the premade Isopure drinks instead.....still $45 for a 12 pack! Yikes! Looks like I'm going to have to hold off a few weeks before that purchase!

I didn't buy bariatric vitamins/supplements. I just went to Walgreen and bought regular vitamins. I think they are by Nature's Bounty. The exception was my multi. For the first 2 months I bought KIND vitamins. They are all food and Water soluble so when I crushed them I could mix them with almond butter, apple sauce or yogurt. Before committing to Isopure, try a few samples. I trued several from Whole Foods, some from CVS and a few from Vitamin shop. I believe there is a place online where you can purchase a sample pack. Try mixing them with skim milk, water and diluted juice to see if you tolerate it. I only bought a 2 week supply for post op because people said their taste buds changed. Once I knew I liked it, I then bought a full size. FYI - If you buy the Isopure, keep your receipt. If you do not like it you can return the unused portion.

[AvaFern 3,516]

I didn't buy any of those things, except the food scale which was actually pretty useful because I clearly have no grasp of what is an ounce of food. I use regular Vitamins from the grocery store- probably Nature's Bounty or Sundown brand. I hate Protein drinks, so I have never used them. Don't buy the entire big thing before you know if you like it or not. I am now 19 months post-op and I am WAY cheaper at the grocery store and in terms of things I consume than I ever was before. It's surprising how it isn't terribly expensive to eat healthy when for the most part you eat roughly what a child eats, lol.

[McButterpants 2,846]

Yeah there are a lot of expenses that I didn't anticipate.

Think of all the money you'll save on food and medical over the course of the next couple of years!

[blondebomb 580]

I was able to use my own suppliments from the beginning. and actually since surgery we have saved more money since I wasnt hardly eating solids for several months and what I did eat wasn't much. I drank the pure Protein Drinks. yes off the bat I did try a few different types of Protein powder's till I settled but what I had extra I put in the hubs smoothies. I didn't buy anything off the bariatric website. I did buy the big container of unflavored you bought and I used it for a few wks and I added it to all the Soups I ate I added it in my coffee my hot tea yogurt pudding if it could be added to something I did. but what I have had out of pocket the past 10 months did/t compare to what we were spending eating out all the time. I have heard some surgeons require buying their brand of suppliments , bars and shakes mine didn't. the month before my surgery I stocked and believe me I over bought! I didn't have to buy shakes and soups for a while...its worth it!

[Stephanie Stroup McIntosh 157]

I take opurity Vitamins. They are a fraction of the cost. Check out InsureNutrition. Its a website that will help you get free Protein drinks. Think of it this way too. I chose ready to drink Premier Protein. I spent $1.50 per drink. For my pre-op diet I was supposed to drink 4 per day. Thats only $6 per day. Most people spend more than that per day. I am 2 weeks post surgery and am lucky to get in 2 per day. Even when you transition to "regular" food you will be eating so much less that your food costs will still be way down.

[CTDEE 58]

I take Flintstones Kids chewables for my multi and Nacobal provides the rest for a $25 copay through my insurance.

I use Protein powders from Target and Walmart.

[Mistie 201]

I just found out my insurance will cover, so I'm steamrolling ahead. I made a comment to my mom over the weekend, after having spent time exploring this site, about how expensive it will be post-op. She put it in perspective.

Not only will I not be buying regular food (and I tend to buy pricey organics and fresh food to be healthy), you won't be buying fast food, either. So, I will be SAVING money, now that I think about it!

[KC VSG 46]

Yea I think when you look at it long term the cost does stretch out and become less of a hinderance. I think just the initial up front costs kind of shocked me lol!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I just found out my insurance will cover, so I'm steamrolling ahead. I made a comment to my mom over the weekend, after having spent time exploring this site, about how expensive it will be post-op. She put it in perspective.

Not only will I not be buying regular food (and I tend to buy pricey organics and fresh food to be healthy), you won't be buying fast food, either. So, I will be SAVING money, now that I think about it!

I still buy organic, but I eat so little it goes further. For the first time ever I had to throw out food that went bad before I could eat it all. Now I automatically freeze half when I buy things

[vsgval 13]

Just like most on here...check with your insurance they may cover that exspense

[bruni 38]

I buy Vitamins & supplements at CVS or Walgreens when they have buy 1 get 1 free sales...they have one on a different brand pretty much every week...

and yea...you won't be ordering take out or going out for meals much, so these expenses really pan out in the end

[downsizingdebs 61]

If you haven't tried already, check out insure nutrition. I get 4 cases (72 shakes), optisource bariatric Vitamins and scar cream delivered every month st no cost to me. Hopefully your insurance will cover too.