lisafrommassachusetts

Wow! That is interesting! Where are you having the surgery?

Gastric sleeve on 2/3!

MyNextStep... I would be so happy to trade updates! What surgery are you having?

I really like Stevia

My surgery is in 2 weeks; starting the pre-op diet tomorrow...glad to hear such a positive story. I'm battling nerves, second thoughts, etc.

I start my pre-op diet tomorrow and I can have black tea and/or coffee. I figure I can add a bit of protein drink to my coffee, but can I add a stevia packet to herbal tea?

I just found out (yesterday!) that I am having the surgery on Feb. 3, and started reading more posts and your posts made me really laugh. I am glad you are going first, and will be looking for reality based or at least reality adjacent updates. You know, if you live through it, I mean. I don't want to be haunted by you, I don't even know you!

Just got my surgery date... February 3rd. I'm excited/ nervous!!

I'm hoping for February! I see the surgeon on Jan. 14th to get a date. Hope to join you all!

I can't tolerate the artificial sweeteners; I like Iconic; it is not whey based and it does not bother my stomach; also it is sweetened with stevia and monk fruit so the awful aftertaste is not there. It is not plant based, so my nutritionist doesn't "love" it, but it has 20G of protein and 130 cal. I like the Chocolate Truffle and the Ginger Tumeric.

I quit smoking 11 years ago, and I used Chantix. I had quit SOOOO many times; used the patch, Wellbutrin, Nicorette gum (used that for almost a year, and started smoking as soon as I finally got off the gum), hypnosis, cold turkey, cold turkey with a support group, etc. The Chantix gave me enough of a gap between me and the cravings to do the hard head work to address and finally come to terms with my addiction. I had a great prescriber, who really worked with me. At the full dose the side effects were too much for me, so she dialed it back (stomach stuff, mostly). She kept me on longer, and did a really slow taper to get me off. I also had some gum in reserve when I quit the Chantix, but did not need it. You can do this!

I'd love to hear which ones you liked!

You look fabulous. It's helpful to see the success story!

Thank you again, everyone. I got some Iconic Protein brand; sweetened with Stevia and it is not Whey, 130 calories; 20 G protein and I seem to be able to drink it without any distress. I got it from Amazon (4 sample size chocolate truffle.) I'll try a couple of other flavors, but I am so far quite relieved!

Thank you. I would not say violently ill, but way too much GI distress to be able to go to my office. It's good to remember it's a short term problem.

Thank you for your help. It's a bit daunting!

Thank you for all of your suggestions!

I am just starting this process. I expect surgery around February. Had a group meeting/class, and one of the suggestions was to start trying the protein drinks. That seemed odd, I thought how bad can they be? Well, now I know!!!! I have never been able to stand the taste of artificial sweeteners. My questions are: Is there a protein drink that does not have artificial sweeteners? I've ordered some with Stevia, from Amazon, they will get here tomorrow, but in the past I found Stevia unappealing as well. (The ones I have tried with aspartame made me very ill; perhaps it was the combination of the sweetener and the Whey). Secondly, assuming I cannot find one I can tolerate, has anyone made their own with plain protein? If so what did you use to sweeten? Can you use a little honey or sugar if you are keeping the calories below 200 per 8 ounces? Finally, has anyone had luck with the savory options, like the protein "chicken soup" or what have you? Can you have that during the pre-op diet and the post surgery liquid stage? Sorry for all the questions. I would hate to be unable to do the surgery because of my inability to tolerate these protein drinks.