Scared of Sugar Free products!!!!

Just kind of venting about sugar free stuff.  Has anyone had issues with eating Sugar Free Popcicles after surgery? I've had two in the last week and I haven't had major "I'll never try them again" pains but the first time I had dry heaves and the second time just some slightly painful cramps.  I can do SF jello no problem.   I also tried a few sips crystal lite and wal-mart version of sugar free water mixes and I didn't have any uncomfortable moments I just felt they were so sweet and scared to drink more than a few sips.  I've been getting by just squeezing fresh lemon juice in the water (being careful of those seeds!).   I'm scared to try a lot of SF products now just incase it gets worse.  Do the protein mixes have sugar Alcohol's that I have to be careful about?  I get to start protein shakes on Saturday.  

It is probably just the temperature that is causing the problems.  I was told to not have anything frozen (or even cold water ) for a while after surgery because your pouch might cramp up and reject it.   Hope that helps. 

****HIJACK***** Hello Brad!  Are you EVER going to get a new avatar pic?  Geez man - you're down 75 pounds - I'm sure I wouldn't even recognize you if I saw you on the streets!  Com'n we want to see the new you! Okay, now that I've have that off my chest, I guess I'll go check your profile and see if you have any new ones there! NOPE - no photos there!  Com'n everyone give Brad grief until he gets us a new pic - the one on his avatar is his pre-op pic!

I know, I know.  It has been six months now, so it is time!!! 

As for the SF drink mixes, I think they're too sweet too - so I dilute them quite a bit.  Most of them do quite well in a 23.7 oz Propel bottle - even if the instructions say to mix with 16 oz. of water.  Or in my 32 oz. water bottle, I'll mix 1 & 1/2 pouches of the mix, not two.  Or just use @ 20-24 oz of water with one packet of mix.  You get the idea.  Better than plain water (IMHO), but not so sweet as to make your face wrinkle up.

I still water down the crystal lite and walmart versions - just because I also think they have a sweet taste. Watch the sugar alcohols....those really make me feel awful.  I can't do double digits, in total, of sugar and/or sugar alcohols.

I agree with Brad - I'm thinking it could be the temperature that your pouch isn't happy about and maybe not the sugar free part.  But your pouch can react differently to different types of sugar alcohols or sugar substitutes so you may want to see if they are the same or different from the other products that you're okay with. I don't blame you for being scared - it's no fun when your pouch yells at you!

I agree...most times it is the temp of the water. Have it room temperature and try that. Also dilute the mix....it can be too strong at first.

Good Luck!!

Hugs, connie d

You are a pretty new post-op, sometimes things that are to hot or cold can cause the tummy to spasm etc.

I tolerate SF popsicles really well, in fact they are my one treat right now.  Are you sure you got SF and not the No Sugar Added?  I got some No Sugar Added ones and they did not sit well with the old pouchy!!  Makes the old pouch tremble thinking about it!!!!  That is the closest I've come to having sugar products since wls.  I dump on carbs though.  I can eat maybe a bite or two, but that's it. I have no trouble with water unless it's warm.  My water has to be ice cold in order to stay down - I know that is different than others. I used to do great on SF CIB, but now find it's too sweet for me and makes me a little queasy, but if I mix some unjury protein in it, it seems to really help and I tolerate that well. Unfortunately, it's all trial and error with us.  What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.  And what you can tolerate one day, the next you can't.  Bizarre!