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#195091 09-02-2017 06:34 PM
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New to OCF. I am a 13 year survivor of tonsil and lymph node cancer. Chemo, radiation, and 2 radical neck dissections. PEG installed 4 years ago and I am not allowed anything by mouth. I am looking for some advice on a Vitamix machine. I would like to start doing some whole foods and veggies etc but I'm concerned that the Vitamix will not make it thin enough for it to pass through the tube.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I would hate to spend $500 on something that will not work.

Thanks for your help!

MikeM1954 #195093 09-02-2017 07:43 PM
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Hi Mike, welcome to OCF! Im very sorry to read you are not able to eat or drink by mouth. Depending on a feeding tube isnt easy. Over the years I have met several survivors in the same situation.

Vitamix blenders live up to their stellar reputation. If any blender is going to puree things its the Vitamix. Ive used mine for a few years and its awesome!!!

If you plan on purchasing a Vitamix please consider buying it thru OCF. All the prices are the same no matter where you buy it from. Some sites claim to have it deeply discounted but that is not true. The cost is the same at all locations, Vitamix does not allow for anyone to discount their products. What sets OCF apart from other places selling the vitamix is we are a small nonprofit organization. We truly care about our members and try to help everyone as much as possible. We have developed a program taking the proceeds from our vitamix sales and purchase one for an oral cancer patient/survivor who is unable to eat and is also financially needy.

To learn more click on the Vitamix box over on the right of any page. Thank you!


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
MikeM1954 #195094 09-03-2017 03:46 AM
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We recently purchased a Vitamix to use for my husband. It absolutely does what it says. If you are interested in being able to put real food through your tube, it will allow you to do that. Just know that the soups come out hot from the mixer so you would need to be sure you cool them before using your tube. Also, sometimes we mix Boost with other foods in the Vitamix to up the calories even more. Good luck with your decision.


Wife to DP. DX SCC BOT 1/31/17
First treatment 2/27/2017 Cisplatin 3 times and IMRT
Last treatment 4/18/2017
Clear PET 7/13/2017
PEG removed 8/4/2017
MikeM1954 #195095 09-03-2017 04:02 PM
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I would recommend a model 7500 which doesn't have all the fancy programs on it you don't need, but has the big engine and newest bowl design. I would also recommend that you buy a refurbished one. They literally have been used at a Costco or like place as a demo for a day or two, then returned to Vitamix and every part that came in contact with food is replaced with new, and they are finally sold with a 5-year warrantee. You can't tell them from new. I have one, and I've recommended them to tons of friends that also had issues with the costs of these machines. But for sure, they live up to their reputation and will do the job, it just now means that you have to be a student of nutrition, get the right proteins, healthy fats, carbs etc. so that you can stay healthy and prosper. If you want to help the foundation, and those that we donate these to that qualify with their financial disparities, please do so by calling the OCF office and we will place the order for you and it will ship directly from VM to you. All VM dealers like OCF are precluded from discounting them from the prices that are on their web site, so you will not get one any cheaper from a reputable dealer, and you get to help others at the same time by supporting OCF. (If they catch you discounting, they yank your dealership). Ask for Veronica and she will be glad to help you. 949-723-4400

Last edited by Brian Hill; 09-03-2017 04:04 PM.

Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
MikeM1954 #195100 09-04-2017 08:55 AM
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Vitamix is having a Labor Day sale through 9/10/2017 offering up to $70 off a new full-size blender - they rarely have a sale like this. I have the 5200 "standard" model (just the basic controls) - works great for me. It comes with the 64 oz tall container. The 7500 model has a 64 oz low profile (shorter) container. You can buy different containers. I recently bought a 46 oz one, so I now have two! The Vitamix is a popular appliance in our family, so having the additional container works great!

I know a number of OC survivors who are PEG feeders - they use the Vitamix all the time.


Susan

SCC R-Lateral tongue, T1N0M0
Age 47 at Dx, non-smoker, casual drinker, HPV-
Surgery: June 2005
RT: Feb-Apr 2006
HBOT: 45 in 2008; 30 in 2013; 30 in 2022 -> Total 105!
Recurrence/Surgeries: Jan & Apr 2010
Biopsy 2/2011: Moderate dysplasia
Surgery 4/2011: Mild dysplasia
Dental issues: 2013-2022 (ORN)
MikeM1954 #195102 09-04-2017 05:31 PM
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Susan is right, they have lots of different models. So there isn't a one size fits all, especially when it comes to price. But the one I recommended with the shorter container (which is now the standard on all their high-end machines) was recommended because in most kitchens the tall container machine will not fit underneath the upper cabinets in standard kitchens. The distance between the countertop and the bottom of the upper cabinet is standardized in most kitchens to 18 inches. So Vitamix got enough complaints years ago to come out with a container that could live on your kitchen counter under a standard upper cabinet. It is shorter, but also wider. That is one of the reasons that the 7500 is what OCF recommends and what we donate through our disparities program. And yes, they have sales several times a year. They do not apply to every machine usually, and their dealers are allowed to sell at the sale price too, but only on the same days, on the same units. As with most things in life the details matter. The difference between an older model 5200 and the 7500 are mainly two things. The motor in the 7500 is another .2 horsepower more, and the more important thing is the blade is 4 inches in diameter, not 3 as in the 5200. (You can't put the big blade in the tall containers.) Blade diameter matters becuse the tips of the 4 inch blade turn a lot faster than the 3 inch blade even at the same engine RPM, same as in airplanes. Faster tip speed and you get a quicker thinner blend. So they had many reasons besides the counter top height to make the changes that they did. I'm sure like Susan everyone has a favorite, they have lots to choose from. I have a gourmet chef friend that insists on the one with all the programs beause she is multitasking in the kitchen, and wants to walk away from the blender to do something else and still have it stop at a certain time. So shop around their site, there is a lot to consider if you want one. Then just call us and tell us what you would like. They deliver in less than a week usually.

Last edited by Brian Hill; 09-05-2017 03:21 PM.

Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.

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