Ok so I understand sugar free = less calories but that stuff (aspartame, splenda...whatever) is not good for you. If VSG does not produce 'dumping syndrome' the way Bypass does, is it really imperative to follow a sugar free diet? It is not like we are taking in a ton of calories at this point. I do not have a sweet tooth so these items I am consuming during this post op phase (pudding/popsicles etc.) that are a major staple of our diet will be short lived for me once I graduate to pureed and solid foods. Please advise. As always.. thank you for your feedback.

I agree with you! I told my surgeon that I didn't want that in my body and his PA agreed. I use stevia or regular sweetened food which like you mentioned we eat very little .

I use truvia sugar. it taste just like sugar.

I rarely add sugar to anything... I was mainly referring to the Jello and puddings which have been sitting in the fridge since before surgery. I been getting in my Protein shakes, greek yogurt and some cream Soups. All going down very well minus the gurgling and sensation that I need to belch.

Whilst you're so recently out of surgery, I wouldn't worry about fats/sugars - anything really. Get what you can, down your throat, and aspire for it to be good stuff. Its all good

While I agree that you don't have to really worry about the sugars nutritionally right now, I always find that when I do allow sugar/carbs into my diet I always start having cravings for more. For me it's a trigger, so I need to keep my distance. At over a year out, I still don't feel hunger in the traditional sense, but when I incorporate more sugars/carbs, I almost always feel I want more.

While I agree that you don't have to really worry about the sugars nutritionally right now, I always find that when I do allow sugar/carbs into my diet I always start having cravings for more. For me it's a trigger, so I need to keep my distance. At over a year out, I still don't feel hunger in the traditional sense, but when I incorporate more sugars/carbs, I almost always feel I want more.

Good to know. Thanks. I am starting to think the stomach spasms are hunger pangs.... don't like them at all.

There are other substitutes for sugar. Real maple syrup and Agave nectar. i try very hard not to use artificial sugar in my food as well. But now I do have a more hunger issue which I had really hoped I would be one of those people who never felt hungry again...It was not to be. So sometimes I do have a sugar free hot chocolate. Not always but once in a while. It seems to help.

All Protein drinks have some kind of artificial sugar as well. But as you go along and you feed yourself properly. You won't need them. only on the really bad days when you may not be well.

That is what I do otherwise it is the real thing all the way.....

There are Cookies out now that have fewer calories such as Life style by Peek Freans. If it gets too much I find they are great. They are not sweet at all and they seem to satisfy. I find now I can't eat really sweet things.. i actually gag on it.....

Artificial sweeteners aren't good, period. But for me, everything in moderation is a necessary mantra. I am diabetic, so I try to avoid real sugars because sugars are carbs, carbs=more insulin, insulin=fat. The artificial sweeteners I use are occasionally a necessary evil. For example, when my husband made a huge pan of nachos during the superbowl, I ate sugar-free popsicles instead and didn't hate myself later. Our calories are so restricted right now, we have to allow ourselves a little wiggle room.

While I agree that you don't have to really worry about the sugars nutritionally right now, I always find that when I do allow sugar/carbs into my diet I always start having cravings for more. For me it's a trigger, so I need to keep my distance. At over a year out, I still don't feel hunger in the traditional sense, but when I incorporate more sugars/carbs, I almost always feel I want more.

Good to know. Thanks. I am starting to think the stomach spasms are hunger pangs.... don't like them at all.

I has small spasms for the first week or two, they lessened every day. A heating pad and some warm herbal tea seemed to help. Glad you are doing so well!!