I started my journey to surgery on June 1, 2012. My insurance started covering the surgery in May and I was told I had to have 6 medically supervised visits. I started the process with my PCP and then switched to the surgeon who would do my surgery. I've known him for 6 years since I work in a hospital. I was very disappointed in the customer service at his office and decided to switch at month 5. Good thing I did! I found out that my policy changed and I only had to have 3 visits, found a new surgeon with excellent customer service and who does the sleeve (first surgeon only does band) and now the ball is really rolling. I will also be able to have the surgery at a hospital that I don't work at, which is a huge relief for me personally.

I am tentatively scheduled for 11/27/12, pending insurance approval. I have met all the requirements, done all the pre-op, medically cleared, so I hope for a quick approval as that has been the case for others with my employer / policy.

Now I am anxious about my diet. The surgeon told me today that I need to lose 20-30 pounds before my surgery date. He would like me to be on a liquid diet until that time. I have the OK to continue Protein shakes that I had already started but need some suggestions. I hate the taste of anything with artificial sweeteners. That leaves out anything "sugar free" for me. I will gladly eat something without sugar and drink Water forever if faced with an artificial sweetener. Does anyone have any suggestions for other things to eat that do not have artificial sweeteners?

TIA for any suggestions!

I started my journey to surgery on June 1, 2012. My insurance started covering the surgery in May and I was told I had to have 6 medically supervised visits. I started the process with my PCP and then switched to the surgeon who would do my surgery. I've known him for 6 years since I work in a hospital. I was very disappointed in the customer service at his office and decided to switch at month 5. Good thing I did! I found out that my policy changed and I only had to have 3 visits, found a new surgeon with excellent customer service and who does the sleeve (first surgeon only does band) and now the ball is really rolling. I will also be able to have the surgery at a hospital that I don't work at, which is a huge relief for me personally.

I am tentatively scheduled for 11/27/12, pending insurance approval. I have met all the requirements, done all the pre-op, medically cleared, so I hope for a quick approval as that has been the case for others with my employer / policy.

Now I am anxious about my diet. The surgeon told me today that I need to lose 20-30 pounds before my surgery date. He would like me to be on a liquid diet until that time. I have the OK to continue Protein shakes that I had already started but need some suggestions. I hate the taste of anything with artificial sweeteners. That leaves out anything "sugar free" for me. I will gladly eat something without sugar and drink Water forever if faced with an artificial sweetener. Does anyone have any suggestions for other things to eat that do not have artificial sweeteners?

TIA for any suggestions!

Are you on the clear liquid diet or the full liquid diet?

Full liquids