How do you keep costs down?

**hockeymom1970** · 12-18-2011 10:54 AM

As I'm about one month out from the sleeve and I notice that everything seems to be very expensive. The protein powders, the vitamins, etc. Do you have any hints or tricks for keeps costs down?

Am I going to have special order all my food, or can I buy things at my regular grocery store and/or Wal-mart, Target, etc?

**Kelly Jo** · 12-18-2011 11:07 AM

There are tons of different kinds of protein shakes. They are really your only true expense. The vitamins aren't expensive at all, except maybe the calcium. I was told to take Flinstones Complete vitamins, only about $3/month. The B12 was less than that. Maybe $5 or $6 and I think it was at least a 3 month supply in a bottle. The calcium varies depending on what type you choose to use. I bought the powdered calcium (UpCal D) on Amazon. com. That is 2 months worth for $16. If you buy the Bariatric Advantage Chewy bites, those are definitely the most expensive calcium. Protein powder isn't too expensive. But you have to try a few different kinds sometimes to find what you like. I can't begin to guess how many different options are out there for protein, and everybody likes a different kind. But Walmart does have a good variation. I personally like the pre made shakes I buy at Costco, and they are more expensive than the powder, but it's what I prefer.

**Gwyn** · 12-18-2011 11:11 AM

They can definitely be expensive, but if you consider that the protein is replacing a meal (at least it is for me), it's not too bad. Plus the money saved on the rest of the food. I buy my protein and vitamins at GNC, but I would imagine you can find most of that at Walmart or Target as well.

**Shoppingbeemom** · 12-18-2011 01:36 PM

You haven't had the surgery, so you don't know what vitamins you are lacking yet. This can be found out by a blood test after the surgery. Why buy vitamins if you may not need them. I take what I took before. The store brand multi vitamin. As for the protein powders, I bought an assortment of them and I ended up giving them to my son because my body couldn't tolerate them after the surgery ( I could drink them before ). I would get a sample size to have on hand, but not put a fortune into it until you know if you'll be able to drink the protein. Best wishes

**hockeymom1970** · 12-18-2011 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Shoppingbeemom

You haven't had the surgery, so you don't know what vitamins you are lacking yet. This can be found out by a blood test after the surgery. Why buy vitamins if you may not need them. I take what I took before. The store brand multi vitamin. As for the protein powders, I bought an assortment of them and I ended up giving them to my son because my body couldn't tolerate them after the surgery ( I could drink them before ). I would get a sample size to have on hand, but not put a fortune into it until you know if you'll be able to drink the protein. Best wishes

Thank You! My Dr's office kind of has a "catch all" book if you will and it basically says you need to take all these vitamins, but it is geared more toward RNY patients. Which left me confused, because part of the reason I choose the sleeve is less malabsorption. I guess I'm a planner and feel the need to plan ahead of time....

**N2DVN** · 12-18-2011 07:06 PM

Try CVS or Walgreens for vitamins. They often have BOGO offers. And if you look, you can even find coupons for the ones that are on sale. For example, I printed $1 off coupons on Friday for Sundown vitamins and then went to CVS and got them BOGO free!

Amazon is a great source for discounts.

For protein drinks, consider that they are replacing your meals. I bought a box of 12 drinks w/30g of protein for just $17. Costco sells the same ones 18 for $24. Those are my lunches for 2 - 3 weeks. Much better than spending $7-15 per lunch.