I am reading a lot about post-op liquid stages and people having "no sugar" this and that... does that mean you are using artificial sweeteners in most of your liquids? I am concerned about aspartame usage b/c it makes me feel unwell... are any of the popular drink mixes made with "safe" sweeteners? Do you have to go "no sugar"?

My doc approved anything with no-cal sweeteners. Although my stomach likes diet drinks like Crystal Light, it does not play well with sucralose or alcohol sugars. You just have to test each one to see what your stomach likes.

I don't know of any artificial sweetener that is considered safe. They scream about sugar, they scream about honey, they scream about every artificial sweetener.

I figure I am doing more harm to my body every day by being fat as opposed to drinking artificial sweeteners every day.

I try to limit my use of artificial sweeteners. Aspartame gives me a headache if I consume any more than 3 or so servings a day. I use Jay Robb for protein powder because it's sweetened with stevia. If I want a sweet drink I'll mix unsweetened kool-aid with stevia. Some things are hard to find in non-aspartame versions. Jell-o is one. I tried mixing knox unflavored with splenda and a koolaid packet YUCK.. so I'll just use the regular sugar free jell-o and be careful not to use too much.

I am with you, I can't do anything artificial. I had some half strength juices watered down (they are so sweet anyway) and some regular Popsicles early on when it was hard to be on clear liquids for 1-2 weeks. Trust me I still lost oodles of weight. I still at 19 months out don't use fake sugar or fat free anything. It has worked for me!

This is my one fear. I avoid any artificial sugars but truvia or stevia. I have only found two protein mixes that don't have them but haven't checked their protein amts etc.