So after four years of contemplating, it looks like my surgery will be within the next few months. I was approved by insurance the other day (!!!) after seriously almost paying out of pocket twice. Here's my BIGGEST concern: I can't tolerate artificial sweeteners, so I am petrified of the pre-surgery protein diet. I have been told that for two weeks I'll have to have protein shakes with 15+ grams of protein and less than 5 grams of carbs. Yikes!! Does anyone know of any shakes without artificial sweeteners that aren't too gross? The nutritionist gave me a scared look when I told her I couldn't have artificial sweeteners...which wasn't encouraging. Please share if you have any experience with the shakes!!!!

The Vega line has no artificial sweeteners. I just bought mine the other day... vanilla chai. Haven't had any yet but it smells ok. I'll keep you posted.

Vega Homepage | Sequel Naturals

I have been drinking Isopure Natural, little higher on the calories than the zero carb. I mix it with decaf coffee and make Mochas with it and vanilla lattes LOL love it.

Thanks for the information! Vanilla Chai sounds awesome, so please let me know what you think once you've had it. I did some extra research yesterday after my original post, and I found that Unjury has a chicken soup option...which sounds pretty good since it doesn't require being sweet...and it's 21g protein and 1g carbs. Anyone have any experience with that one? Unjury also has an unflavored powder, which could also work, but they recommend mixing it with liquids that have artificial sweeteners...ugh!! Has anyone tried this one and maybe mixed it with tea or something? Getting nervous...and I've probably got two months before I need to start.

The Unjury chicken soup is AMAZING! It almost tastes like cream of chicken soup and there isn't any of the yucky protein shake taste. I just tried the unflavored Unjuy mixed in a fat free yogurt for lunch and it wasn't too bad at all. I can stomach it a lot easier than the shakes. I am having the HARDEST time drinking the protein shakes and I have 10 weeks to go on it!

Awesome...thanks for the info on the Unjury chicken soup! Makes it easier to spend the money ordering it. I just found another option, and I can't believe I hadn't thought of it before because we use it at our hospital: Beneprotein. According to the Nestle website, it has 6g of protein per scoop with 0g carbs and mixes into anything hot or cold. I will probably give that one a try too...the only ingredients are whey protein and soy protein. I don't even have my date yet (I've been approved but need to pay my co-insurance before getting a date, and I'm trying to stretch that out because late November is the earliest I can do it work-wise, and I'll need an extension on the approval to get it then), but I'm sooo nervous about the protein shakes!!! It sounds like you have the same taste buds...I start gagging at stuff I don't like, especially if I have to repeatedly eat/drink something, so two weeks is going to be torture. Why are you on 10? Are you referring to the post-surgery period when you're eating other stuff in addition to the shakes?

Oops...FYI, I had the ingredients wrong on the Beneprotein. It's whey protein and soy lecithin, not soy protein. The more I look into the Beneprotein, the more I think that's going to be a mainstay for me as I get closer to surgery. I'll try some of the others, but I'm still not sure about them!

I have been sampling protein powders for my upcoming surgey. I have found I like Jay Robbs Whey Protein powder. For the sugar they use stevia (the natural sugar product) Maybe you could take that.

It has 0 fat, 0 carbs 25g protein isolate (the good kind of protein that you want) It also says it comes from cows not treated with rBGH hormone. It is 110 calories and can be mixed with juice, water or milk. I mixed mine with skim milk just to get a little extra protein. These are availabe by the packet or tub from Fry's (Kroger) They are a little pricey; but, cheaper if you buy the tub. I am doing just that because then I can add flavorings to the vanilla for some variety. They are a little high in sodium 390 mg and a little pricey.

Try one packet to see if you like it. I know they come in Vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. I tried the chocolate but liked the vanilla better.

Good luck on your search.

Let us know what you have found.

I am very allergic to artificial sweetners! I get complex migraines where my vision goes, my tongue goes numb preventing me from talking right, light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and horrible a migraine!

I got the same scared look when I told them...but then the nutritionist adapted the diet for me!!! I am doing a shake in the morning, 4-6oz Protein for lunch and dinner with as much non-starchy vegetables that I want (Basicly a low carb diet). The first week I lost aprox 10lbs and I like my shakes so much I'm going for at least 2 meals!

Try GNC 100% Whey Protein (I think they are the Pro-Performance)...I know that they have Vanilla, chocolate, and Unflavored that are ok and without sucralose(aka splenda). The other flavors have sucralose in them so be wary. Also, I am mixing mine with 8oz of vanilla light silk. They taste just like milkshakes to me and take care of that sugar/sweet that I want.

Also, be wary of the liquids you take when you get tests or fills done. They usually have artificial sweetners in them.

One more thing...try the stevia in the raw...it is a good alternative sweetner and it has no chemicals like the other stevia brands!

Good Luck!

Might try as well grape fruit shake. The grape diet is a great way to detoxify your body and lose some weight at the same time. Grapes are healthy and are also very delicious. Thus, you can lose between 4 and 8 pounds by eating for 1 week only grapes and vegetable soups.