For years now, I've been unable to eat most 'sugar free' items due to getting an instant headache from the sweeteners. I can't use splenda, aspartame, etc. The only one I can tolerate is Xylitol. Is this going to be a problem post-surgery?

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A lot of sugar free products have Stevia these days a healthier alternative. Try it hopefully you can int get a headache.

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Depending on how much you crave sweets it might be a blessing. I crave sweets all the time (always have). Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners make you crave more sweets and carbs in the same way sugar does. The headaches may act as a deterrent towards those types of foods and keep you focused on Protein and complex carbs.

If you choose to do Protein drinks you may have some issues with prepared ones. Luckily there are plenty of unflavored powders out there so that you can make your own shakes with the xylitol.

Can you do stevia and/or erythritol? If so, you will not have a problem finding bariatric products postop.....just read labels. I could not tolerate artificial sweeteners postop as they caused severe stomach pain. I drank herbal tea, milk, diluted fruit juice,diluted sports drinks and pedialyte. I never bothered with the "sugar free" crap and never had a problem with real sugar slowing my weight loss. As for protein supplements, there are plenty out there that contain stevia and/or erythritol. If you can't do either of them then yes, you may have a hard time finding things to get you through the preop and postop food stages. Not impossible, just gonna take some creative menu planning.

Thanks for the responses! I'll have to grab some Stevia or erythritol. I did try Stevia a few years ago and didn't care for the taste, but I don't remember if it gave me a headache. Glad I've got a few months to work out these details

I know aspartame messes with my kidneys. When I was drinking soda I had to have Diet Coke with Splenda and stuff. But like EVERYTHING has aspartame it seems.