I've been on the site reading and asking a few questions, but I guess it's time to tell my story. Like others I did a lot of research and settled on the best option for bariatric surgery for me: plication with lap band, or as my surgeon, Dr. Cottom in Salt Lake City terms it: Bandication. My surgery was on August 8. I was lucky at how smoothly my recovery has been: I went home the same day, was able to manage pain okay, was able to drink. It took a few days before swallowing pills was comfortable. I have had a terrible metallic tast in my mouth that is only now starting to fade. I got really hungry about a week post-op because sugar-free Jello, popsicles, everything with artificial sweetening tastes terrible with this metallic taste in my mouth. I"m so glad to be on cream Soups now/ I learned the hard way yesterday not to eat too much. I was trying to figure out what full liquids mask the taste of unflavored Protein powder and ended up eating more than I realized. I felt a lot of pain for several hours and then ended up vomiting when I tried to take my bedtime medications.

I appreciate all the advice and experience others share about eating & exercise. I have a question for those of you who are a ways down the road. Background info: I had read a lot about the downside of artificial sweeteners and had cut them out of my diet the past few years. So it was a change to eat and drink sugar-free everything pre-and post surgery. Jillian Michaels and many others in the health industry say that artificial sweeteners mess with metabolism and hormones. So given that my surgeon said that metabolism tends to slow down over time with bandication as with lap-band, I am wondering what your experience has been with using artificial sweeteners versus just using sugar sparingly. Which helps you lose weight the best? I know that Stevia is natural, but it has a bitter taste for me in most things. Any research, insights, or experience would be appreciated.

Well I use splenda and I like the taste .But that is just my preference,I don't know if it helps loose the weight or not but I think is healthier,and sometimes I use pure honey on my oatmeal,I love how it tastes.

You're right about sweeteners. I just read another article about them here http://eatthis.womenshealthmag.com/content/12-secrets-beverage-industry-doesnt-want-you-know?article=4&page=1

You may want to try different brands of stevia as people say they can make a real difference.

I've been on the site reading and asking a few questions, but I guess it's time to tell my story. Like others I did a lot of research and settled on the best option for bariatric surgery for me: plication with lap band, or as my surgeon, Dr. Cottom in Salt Lake City terms it: Bandication. My surgery was on August 8. I was lucky at how smoothly my recovery has been: I went home the same day, was able to manage pain okay, was able to drink. It took a few days before swallowing pills was comfortable. I have had a terrible metallic tast in my mouth that is only now starting to fade. I got really hungry about a week post-op because sugar-free Jello, popsicles, everything with artificial sweetening tastes terrible with this metallic taste in my mouth. I"m so glad to be on cream soups now/ I learned the hard way yesterday not to eat too much. I was trying to figure out what full liquids mask the taste of unflavored Protein powder and ended up eating more than I realized. I felt a lot of pain for several hours and then ended up vomiting when I tried to take my bedtime medications.

I appreciate all the advice and experience others share about eating & exercise. I have a question for those of you who are a ways down the road. Background info: I had read a lot about the downside of artificial sweeteners and had cut them out of my diet the past few years. So it was a change to eat and drink sugar-free everything pre-and post surgery. Jillian Michaels and many others in the health industry say that artificial sweeteners mess with metabolism and hormones. So given that my surgeon said that metabolism tends to slow down over time with bandication as with lap-band, I am wondering what your experience has been with using artificial sweeteners versus just using sugar sparingly. Which helps you lose weight the best? I know that Stevia is natural, but it has a bitter taste for me in most things. Any research, insights, or experience would be appreciated.

Hey travel,

I think I'm probably somewhere in between in all this. I'm only a little over 8 weeks out from plication, but I try to avoid artificial sweetener when I can. I can say that I really appreciate the taste of fresh seasonal fruit without added junk (natural sugar or artificial sweetener now).

There are a few things I can't stand to eat without added sweetness though (plain Greek yogurt being one). I use a pack of Splenda added to that instead of honey, though I do prefer honey. I've been really trying to watch my carbs again after getting a bit lax with them, and that helps me keep that down.

Lately I've been missing soda a lot, mostly the caffeine hit since going back to work, but I also love a cold drink with some ice in it. I have to admit that I've had a couple of occasions where I've broken down and had a small diet coke. It hasn't hurt my stomach, and I've really enjoyed it.

As far as it affecting me, given our modern life with so many random exposures to chemicals in our homes from detergents, fabric softeners, herbicides and pesticides on produce, hormones in meat and dairy, trace hormones and medications in drinking Water, etc., I'm not going to deny myself a soda or stress out over carbs in a yogurt. If it helps me on this particular journey, then I can live with the risk. My overall pattern of losing weight hasn't stopped, but I can't explain some of the ups and downs.

As far as Stevia goes, I had it in something the other day (blanking on what it was now), and didn't realize it until later. I'd had it once before and thought it was foul, then didn't notice it this time.

Maybe use natural sweeteners sparingly for a bit then try reintroducing a preferred artificial sweetener or sugar substitute if you previously had one to see if you can tolerate the taste. If not, then I'd say use the natural ones when you really need them on something and avoid them otherwise if you can.

I've been on the site reading and asking a few questions, but I guess it's time to tell my story. Like others I did a lot of research and settled on the best option for bariatric surgery for me: plication with lap band, or as my surgeon, Dr. Cottom in Salt Lake City terms it: Bandication. My surgery was on August 8. I was lucky at how smoothly my recovery has been: I went home the same day, was able to manage pain okay, was able to drink. It took a few days before swallowing pills was comfortable. I have had a terrible metallic tast in my mouth that is only now starting to fade. I got really hungry about a week post-op because sugar-free Jello, popsicles, everything with artificial sweetening tastes terrible with this metallic taste in my mouth. I"m so glad to be on cream soups now/ I learned the hard way yesterday not to eat too much. I was trying to figure out what full liquids mask the taste of unflavored Protein powder and ended up eating more than I realized. I felt a lot of pain for several hours and then ended up vomiting when I tried to take my bedtime medications.

I appreciate all the advice and experience others share about eating & exercise. I have a question for those of you who are a ways down the road. Background info: I had read a lot about the downside of artificial sweeteners and had cut them out of my diet the past few years. So it was a change to eat and drink sugar-free everything pre-and post surgery. Jillian Michaels and many others in the health industry say that artificial sweeteners mess with metabolism and hormones. So given that my surgeon said that metabolism tends to slow down over time with bandication as with lap-band, I am wondering what your experience has been with using artificial sweeteners versus just using sugar sparingly. Which helps you lose weight the best? I know that Stevia is natural, but it has a bitter taste for me in most things. Any research, insights, or experience would be appreciated.

I prefer Splenda, it dosen't seem to have any aftertaste. I'm having the same surgery tomorrow. It seems like the best option for me.

I've been on the site reading and asking a few questions, but I guess it's time to tell my story. Like others I did a lot of research and settled on the best option for bariatric surgery for me: plication with lap band, or as my surgeon, Dr. Cottom in Salt Lake City terms it: Bandication. My surgery was on August 8. I was lucky at how smoothly my recovery has been: I went home the same day, was able to manage pain okay, was able to drink. It took a few days before swallowing pills was comfortable. I have had a terrible metallic tast in my mouth that is only now starting to fade. I got really hungry about a week post-op because sugar-free Jello, popsicles, everything with artificial sweetening tastes terrible with this metallic taste in my mouth. I"m so glad to be on cream soups now/ I learned the hard way yesterday not to eat too much. I was trying to figure out what full liquids mask the taste of unflavored Protein powder and ended up eating more than I realized. I felt a lot of pain for several hours and then ended up vomiting when I tried to take my bedtime medications.

I appreciate all the advice and experience others share about eating & exercise. I have a question for those of you who are a ways down the road. Background info: I had read a lot about the downside of artificial sweeteners and had cut them out of my diet the past few years. So it was a change to eat and drink sugar-free everything pre-and post surgery. Jillian Michaels and many others in the health industry say that artificial sweeteners mess with metabolism and hormones. So given that my surgeon said that metabolism tends to slow down over time with bandication as with lap-band, I am wondering what your experience has been with using artificial sweeteners versus just using sugar sparingly. Which helps you lose weight the best? I know that Stevia is natural, but it has a bitter taste for me in most things. Any research, insights, or experience would be appreciated.

Hi Travel Happy,

Well, I can't answer to the question about natural sweeteners as I haven't really experimented with them very much, but I did want to say that I was glad to read that your surgery went well and that you are doing great. It sounds like you had a good experience with Dr. Cottam. Keep us posted!