So, I'm set to have surgery at the end of this month and I'm worried about what sugar-free options they will provide as I have an extreme sensitivity to aspratame. I know I can bring bouillon or broth easily enough as all I need is hot water, but I can't really bring my own gelatin or popsicles as they require to be chilled and I don't think that the hospital will do that for me. I plan to ask my dietician at my 2 week pre op appointment about this, but I was wondering if anyone had any issue at the hospital with food allergies and the clear liquid diet.

Bring some Crystal Light (I don't know what kind of sugar it has) with you for the water.

My first 24 hours in the hospital post surgery was m3ot allowed anything to drink; not even water. The second day in The hospital they brought me broth, sugar free jello, and sugar free lemonade. I'm not sure what artificial sweetener was in them, but they really only care that you drink. You could just drink broth and water and be fine. Good luck with your surgery and recovery!

1 hour ago, Briswife15 said:

My first 24 hours in the hospital post surgery was not allowed anything to drink; not even Water.

My experience was somewhat the same. I could not drink anything until a leak test was conducted. After the test was conducted and the staple line was shown to be intact then I was permitted to drink plain water. At that stage you don't need much more than plain water.

A few hours after the leak test and my being able to drink water, I was discharged. At home I had all of my liquids (on liquids for the first two weeks) that I chose. Good luck and get ready for healthier you.

I got to my room at 6pm the day of surgery so no meals that day, only had water for the rest of the evening. The next day I had exactly 2 "meals." Breakfast consisted of chicken broth, orange jello, bottle of water and a crystal lite lemonade packet. Lunch was exactly the same thing except it was beef broth. The only thing I took off the trays were the water bottles. At some point I ate the red part of a "bomb pop" popsicle. At 4pm, I was discharged home. I had my IV infusing until the minute I was discharged so it didn't matter if I drank their meals or not.

I wouldn't worry about taking anything to eat or drink...you probably won't want it any way.

I won't be getting anything except ice chips and water swabs the day of my surgery, nothing actually to drink. Post-op day 1 they want me to consume 1oz every 15 minutes during the day of a clear liquid where at least 1 oz each hour should be something other than water--suggesting broth, SF juice or powdered drinks, SF gelatin, and SF popsicles. The second day is when I can start full liquids, to include baby foods, certain soups, and yogurt and pudding. I'll also be doing shakes. Full liquids will be easy enough, I'm more worried about the clear liquids while at the hospital and finding aspratame-free options there.

If you let the surgeon/RD know that you have an aversion to artificial sweeteners, the hospital will probably accommodate you.

My surgery was 8:30am and I was not permitted to have anything by mouth until the next day (late morning, I believe), and then it was only bottled water with a 1oz measure to help.

Around 4pm the day after surgery they brought a tray with lukewarm broth, apple juice, and Kozy Shack SmartGels (w/ Aspartame).

Edited May 4, 20197 yr by jg7979

So, I'm set to have surgery at the end of this month and I'm worried about what sugar-free options they will provide as I have an extreme sensitivity to aspratame. I know I can bring bouillon or broth easily enough as all I need is hot Water, but I can't really bring my own Gelatin or popsicles as they require to be chilled and I don't think that the hospital will do that for me. I plan to ask my dietician at my 2 week pre op appointment about this, but I was wondering if anyone had any issue at the hospital with food allergies and the clear liquid diet.

The Welch's sugar free water additives do not have aspratame in them.

I got broth and cream of wheat in the hospital.

On 5/4/2019 at 4:40 PM, giddygiddygiddy said:

I won't be getting anything except ice chips and Water swabs the day of my surgery, nothing actually to drink. Post-op day 1 they want me to consume 1oz every 15 minutes during the day of a clear liquid where at least 1 oz each hour should be something other than water--suggesting broth, SF juice or powdered drinks, SF Gelatin, and SF popsicles. The second day is when I can start full liquids, to include baby foods, certain Soups, and yogurt and pudding. I'll also be doing shakes. Full liquids will be easy enough, I'm more worried about the Clear Liquids while at the hospital and finding aspratame-free options there.

I doubt that these hospitals will have other natural sweeteners on hand. Don't worry about it, as it's only a day or 2. If you don't want to eat the jellos or pops, just decline.

once you are in your room have family or a friend bring your chosen refrigerated or frozen aspartame-free options. There is usually a patient fridge/freezer that we can place a patient label on and keep it while you're in the hospital. (RN here )

I was offered red dilutes fruit juice after the first day of ice water. Perhaps you could Also request that either apple, cranberry or grape.

Apple would be best. don't want them to think you're bleeding

I had my surgery on Monday. I was given hot water and a decaf tea bag with a packet of equal, vegetable broth, no sugar added Italian ice, and sugar free jello. And 8oz bottles of water. I couldn’t really drink anything. On the last day they accidentally gave me apple juice which I drank and it didn’t hurt me. It sucks, home now and drinking orgain protein powder with ripple milk.

Edited June 14, 20197 yr by Lanzadamanza

i had clear broth some gatorade once a few times some mashed potatoes which was awful...

I brought decaf green tea bags in my clothes bag with me because I prefer green to the black tea the hospital has. There are also many options in water drops/powder packets that are stevia instead of aspartame or sucralose. They taste the same but is a natural sweetener. Unfortunately I realized I have a stevia allergy a few years ago so those aren't an option for me. I use the true lemon packets instead. They are crystallized lemon juice with no sweetener added. I find them in the baking section near the packets of sugar