Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Pre-Surgery Diet & Protein Powders



Recommended Posts

I had my third appt with my surgeon today. Turns out Aetna changed their requirements for WLS so instead of 4 Nutrition consults, I only need 3 which I've already done. So, because of that change, I have officially completed all of my insurance requirements! Now the nerves are really kicking in! I also asked about the 2 week pre-surgery diet. I've been reading from a lot of people on these forums that they were put on a liquid only diet for that time period. Mine will consist of 2 Protein Shakes per day and a 300 calorie meal. Anyone else have a pre-surgery diet like that?

Protein powders.....is anyone else trying to stay away from artificial sweeteners? Seems like no company makes a flavored powder that doesn't have some type of sweetener in it. The issue is not only can I not stand the after taste but I get several of the side effects associated with them; headaches being the worst one! So far, it looks like I'm going to be stuck with unflavored powder. Anyone else going through this?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my third appt with my surgeon today. Turns out Aetna changed their requirements for WLS so instead of 4 Nutrition consults, I only need 3 which I've already done. So, because of that change, I have officially completed all of my insurance requirements! Now the nerves are really kicking in! I also asked about the 2 week pre-surgery diet. I've been reading from a lot of people on these forums that they were put on a liquid only diet for that time period. Mine will consist of 2 Protein Shakes per day and a 300 calorie meal. Anyone else have a pre-surgery diet like that? Protein powders.....is anyone else trying to stay away from artificial sweeteners? Seems like no company makes a flavored powder that doesn't have some type of sweetener in it. The issue is not only can I not stand the after taste but I get several of the side effects associated with them; headaches being the worst one! So far, it looks like I'm going to be stuck with unflavored powder. Anyone else going through this?

I'm very sensitive to artificial sweeteners as well so I understand what you're going through. Can you tolerate stevia? If so try Jay Robb Protein Powder. My favorite flavor is the strawberry but you can order a variety pack off their website which has vanilla chocolate strawberry orange piña colada and unflavored I believe. It's one of the only protein powders I've been able to find without aspartame or Splenda.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Garden of Life Raw Protein and Raw Fit comes in chocolate, vanilla, chai, coffee and "Original" flavors and is sweetened with stevia. Spiru-Tein uses fructose. Pure Protein uses fructose and stevia. Tera's whey uses stevia....actually just google "protein powder stevia" and you will find a lot of options.

Or You can use unflavored protein powder and make your own drinks.

Edited by Kindle

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can tolerate Stevia if I have control over how much is added. It leaves a very strong after taste. The powders I've tried with Stevia have been too sweet to me. Looks like I'm resigned to unflavored. At least I can add that to anything! LOL

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can tolerate Stevia if I have control over how much is added. It leaves a very strong after taste. The powders I've tried with Stevia have been too sweet to me. Looks like I'm resigned to unflavored. At least I can add that to anything! LOL

Everything is too sweet to me, too. I dilute the RTD shakes 1/2 and 1/2 with Water or milk and I usually use twice as much liquid for the powders as what the instructions call for. I even have to dilute non-protein drinks like Lifewater, fruit juice, etc. I can't eat presweetened or flavored yogurt either...way too sweet. I get plain Greek yogurt and flavor it with Torani SF syrups, puréed fruit or Protein powder so I can control the sweetness.

Edited by Kindle

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×