I feel like this is a really strange thing to ask, but I was wondering if any of you actually saved money over the first several months after surgery, since you can't eat as much. Does the cost of protein shakes and supplements end up being what you were spending on food before?

For me it has actually been more expensive. Eating good quality fresh foods vs. all that processed crap is definitely more expensive.

My grocery shopping bill has gone up, not down.

Now with medications it has been a wash. New Vitamins replace the prescriptions.

For me it has actually been more expensive. Eating good quality fresh foods vs. all that processed crap is definitely more expensive.

My grocery shopping bill has gone up, not down.

Now with medications it has been a wash. New Vitamins replace the prescriptions.

What about during the first 6-8 weeks where you're not really eating solid food yet?

@@becomingmandikaye - what you asked has been what has happened at my house. We are eating less potato chips, juice, bread, rice etc (carbs). It has been replaced by more veggies (yum) and Protein filled items.

Hubby likes to eat out a lot and that is now 1 meal that he eats most of and I get an ala carte item to eat or some of his food.

Ex: Longhorn - red rock shrimp and steak. He orders no rice and substitutes broccoli. I get a skewer of shrimp he gets one and we split the broccoli.

any actually saved money over first several months after surgery

@@becomingmandikaye

my initial answer is YES - didn't go out to eat, didn't buy fattening food in "bulk" like Cookies, chips etc

saved lotttts of money

what nobody told me was how much i would spend on new clothes LOL (instead of food)

my "saved" money from food - went to clothes shopping

new tops, jeans etc

many people wisely go to thrift shops and pick up great clothes

cheap prices - some things are new, still have tags on them

good luck bud

kathy

for me - no. but I live in a family with young adults and a teen as well as a husband. So while I may be eating less, they are not,

I probably didn't save any money because I stocked up on Protein supplements, Vitamins, etc. But, a year out and I am still using some of the things I bought last year.

I spend less at the grocery, but I am spending more on clothes, and living life (a lot of my money is currently going into my garden).

So far, we're saving money, chiefly due to not eating dinner out, as we'd done 3-4 times a month. Yes, I'm spending $$ on shakes, (I'm < 3 months out), but having those around keeps Huz from fast food.

And because my portions are so small, even though I cook a lot of Protein, it takes me a while to eat it!

I'm not saving any money. The protein supplements and good quality vitamins are pricey. I do save money when I eat out now, though! I'm a very cheap date as I often just order a la carte, off the appetizer menu, or just share an entree with someone.

I live alone so yeah I saved a ton of food money in the first 6 months. After I was cleared to eat steak, I eat a lot of steak. I only eat grass fed meat, so that isn't cheap although you can find deals.

I think a lot of people underestimate how much money they spend on food pre-op. If you add up all the coffee runs, Snacks, and large fast food meals, not just groceries, it is a ton.

So even though I might spend a lot on clothes, I am still saving money. I spent a lot on clothes and a lot on food before. A ton on food, if I am being honest and counting groceries, starbucks, snacks out etc.

My food bill even with all the "expensive" specialty or replacement things I use, is about 1/4 what it used to be.

I also took "expensive" Vitamins before surgery and I used Protein shakes for Breakfast a lot, so those were already a part of my budget.

Edited April 27, 201610 yr by OutsideMatchInside

I saved a lot of money and still do. I don't eat out much unless I'm with my family and then it's mainly sharing their food. I work at a casino so my meals are there and I don't have to buy food so that saves me even more money. I mainly spend money on my days off to eat and that's not much as it is. Going from at least $20 a day for food to maybe $20 a week if I splurge is a great savings. I did have to spend money on clothes but only bought 5 shirts and two pair of jeans since I know I will not bee in those sizes very long. I didn't want to waste a bunch of money on clothes. Now looking at them I am going to have to size down again which is great.

For me it has actually been more expensive. Eating good quality fresh foods vs. all that processed crap is definitely more expensive.

My grocery shopping bill has gone up, not down.

Now with medications it has been a wash. New Vitamins replace the prescriptions.

This ^^^^^

It's expensive to eat healthy!

I am chucking here. Was cleared for general diet last week including fresh fruit. All I could think about was honeydew melon. I knew I'd be running errands but HAD to have it. Local grocery has a wonderful full salad bar. Picked out a few pieces of the melon, some grilled chicken pieces, a piece or two of steamed broccoli.

My salad bar total? 1.89. With tax!!

Love it! Had a great, healthy lunch for under $2!

Saving tons the first 6 weeks. My family and I used to go out for almost every meal. Now there is no point in me going out, so my wife just makes quick meals for her and my daughter when it is convenient for them (no need to wait for me to get home from work to eat). I would estimate we were buying 25+ meals at restaurants a week for the 3 of us. Now we maybe buy 5 meals out a week. That's a massive savings.

I am definitely saving money because I am eating out less and bringing my lunch to work. I'm also not buying coffee, muffins, etc.

I estimate that by bringing my lunch to work alone and not going to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks I'm saving about $50 a week.

I probably went out to dinner and/or lunch at least 1x sometimes 2x a week...I've probably averaged 1-2x a month since surgery.

It is almost embarrassing how cheap dates have gotten. My girlfriend doesn't eat much, and I sure don't. We have gotten into the habit of splitting a plate. I don't drink when I eat, and she just has Water sans ice.

Think about it...if I go out by myself, I take home my left overs and get 2 additional meals out of it. So if I spend $30 on average for dinner...Before surgery, three days = $90. But post surgery, 3 days is $30, saving me $120 a week, or $6240 a year. I think this should pay off my surgery in a year in food savings.

3/4's of my kids are out of the house, so I now go to Whole Foods, get really great meat, but a pound of grass fed beef lasts nearly all week, not one meal. So that is a major savings, tastes better and better for me.