Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hello!! I’m pre op and still learning about everything. My concern is how will I afford this diet? The shakes and Protein powders are so expensive!! Is there certain brands people recommend? Ik the taste buds change and everything but I just need someone to tell me it’s not too bad. 😅 I have surgery in July but just wanting to cover everything.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Fairlife, Premier Protein, Boost, ensure ect... there are tons. They are not that expensive. you can get ready to drink or get the powder and make your own. But yes taste buds can change so i wouldnt get a bunch. Just enough for the pre op diet and a little after then you can buy what you like after surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think the item that most needs to be budgeted is the Vitamins. I still use Protein Powder (even now 8 months out) but lots of people don't continue with them, after the first few months. I just like them so I still have them. I don't care for the prepared ones, though I keep some on hand when I am on the go. I try to buy the prepared ones at costco to save some money vs. other retail options. I like the Unjury Protein powder with soy milk - the chocolate Splendor is delicious.

You are eating so much less food, though, the costs might get balanced out by reduced grocery bills and restaurant eating. I know it is true in my case, but of course that depends on your current lifestyle and other factors.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You will be eating a LOT less after surgery, so you will save money in the end. BUT more importantly, your body is worth it.

Reduce costs elsewhere in your life, don't sacrifice your nutrition (especially don't skip Vitamins - if you the Pro-Care health one a day it's like a dollar a day - you're WORTH IT!!!!).

I know that for some people a $3 Protein Drink (the cost of a core power at a 7-11) is expensive, but so many of us are used to spending more than that on a Breakfast sandwich.

You will probably only drink one Protein Shake a day after the first month, and eventually you might not drink any.

You will have to try different brands. For me personally, I can't tolerate the powders and buy only the premade shakes. I like the Fairlife core power chocolate (tastes like chocolate milk!) and they are available a lot of places.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So there are many ways to look at this. One is that the food you will be eating may cost more but you'll be eating less food overall, therefore not increasing your grocery or food budget. Another way is that the cost of medicine and health vs the slightly increased cost of healthy food calculation, It's not a barrier, really.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I prefer Protein powder over ready-to-drink shakes, and powder tends to be less expensive. My favorite brand of protein powder is Ideal Lean, but it is really a matter of personal taste. For ready-to-drink shakes, Equate brand is pretty much the same as Premier Protein but priced much lower. I am almost 2 years out now and I no longer drink Protein Shakes. I get plenty of protein from food, and I'd rather eat food than drink a Protein Shake.

It is really important to budget for what you'll need post-op, and don't forget about Vitamins. The best value in bariatric vitamins is the BariatricPal brand Multivitamin, which is $99.99/year for a subscription (I recommend you buy a smaller bottle first and make sure you like them before you subscribe; also, you'll probably need chewables for the first few months after surgery). Depending on your program/bloodwork, you may need additional vitamins (I take Calcium, chelated Iron, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, and Biotin in addition to the multivitamin, and I also use pre-workout and essential amino acid supplements). Vitamins are super important for gastric bypass patients, so you have to make sure you're prepared to buy them before you have the surgery.

In the early post-op stages, I was eating so little that the costs balanced out. Now that I'm eating regular food and larger portions, though, I am spending a lot more on food than I was before surgery, even though I'm eating less. I used to shop sales and buy cheap food. Things like chips, crackers, Cookies, candy, frozen meals and Snacks, baking ingredients (sugar, flour, oil, butter), etc., can be very inexpensive when you buy them on sale. Now, I buy a lot of fresh produce, meat, fish, herbs, and spices, plus some healthier substitutions (sugar-free sweeteners, Protein Bars, low-calorie Salad Dressing, sugar-free Condiments, olive/avocado oil, coconut flour, etc.) and prioritize health and taste over price. I'm sure I could spend less and still eat healthy if I really needed to, but I have invested so much into this surgery and losing weight that I'm willing to spend more money on food that helps me stick to my plan.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

You will be eating a LOT less after surgery, so you will save money in the end. BUT more importantly, your body is worth it.

Yes!!!! Before on the daily i would buy my breakfast, lunch, dinner averaging about $40 a day eating out and i did this every single day i rarely ever ate at home. So looking forward to not spending so much money on food anymore.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Bricam20 said:

Hello!! I’m pre op and still learning about everything. My concern is how will I afford this diet? The shakes and Protein powders are so expensive!! Is there certain brands people recommend? Ik the taste buds change and everything but I just need someone to tell me it’s not too bad. 😅 I have surgery in July but just wanting to cover everything.

I see you're in Texas. Do you happen to be anywhere near Houston? My tastes have changed, and I have some Protein Shakes and maybe one or two other things that I no longer care for. It would be great if I could find a good home for them. Please let me know.

Having said that, if you have a Protein Shake for Breakfast, even at $1.50, it's not that much more than what a pre-surgery breakfast might cost.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

El Paso, unfortunately. But I do appreciate you. I’ve priced stuff and seen where people add unflavored Protein to drinks and broths, so that’s a good option.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest

After shakes...you can get all your B12, Vitamin A...even Protein with a tiny amount of liver pate which you can make yourself for almost no money at all. When you're done with that do yourself a nice soft sardine pate - sardines, cream cheese and a fine chop of chives. Delicious and basically free per portion. There's so many top quality things to eat and with the portions you'll eat they'll be nearly free. And don't skip your Vitamins. But these sorts of things do supply more of them and at a much higher bioavailability and lower price point than any vitamins ever will.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree with the above posters. I want to tell you it’s not to bad. Remember you are eating less, so a normal healthy meal I could eat before surgery is now roughly two meals now (with a little more Protein thrown in).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×