As I sit here waiting for TORS and neck surgery, I have been doing a lot about liquid calories and shakes because of swallowing issues.

Question- I am lactose intolerant so what would be best to use? I can use use almond milk but what else? Anyone else have this issue? And if so did you use a soy or plant protein powder?

I can mash veggies and stuff but I am thinking of bad day options. Trying to prep for worse and hope for better!

Jules 88,

I haven’t had this type of surgery, so o don’t have much to offer, but it’s good that you’re planning ahead with what if days.

I have trouble chewing and swallowing, and have no teeth! I was in the nursing home as of this morning, but fell this morning! I ate the puréed diet and was fantastic! I ate like I member ate before and put on two pounds of the 10 I lost, i have to find out how they prelate it.

At home myself, I used all kinds of liquids to purée depending what I was cooking. I’ve used water, chicken or beef broth, coconut milk, regular milk, and Soy milk, and maybe others I can’t while on pain meds for surgery tomorrow for my hip. Not exactly cancer related, but it does have an effect from lifestyle to medications!

Good luck with your surgery!

Paul,

Any info is helpful! You just never know how things will work or what you may need. I think I have the need to control what I can as it feels like so much is now outta my control.

Hope your surgery goes well!

I think the same thing! Except when o know O have sound advice, and stayed with those doctors! Once I had four consults, and settled with one team who stood by me until i was cancer free!

Good luck with everythong!

I used to be on faculty in an orthodontic department at a dental school. in the olden days, when patients had their jaws restructured, we wired their mouths shut for 6 weeks. i cannot imagine! They learned creative ways to get food in. one gal would put a cheeseburger in a blender and turn it into a shake! i suppose after awhile, even a cheeseburger shake might sound good.

Hopefully, you can find some options that you will enjoy

Do you have access to a dietitian at your hospital? They can give you suggestions and even recipes. Don’t wait till the last minute. If there is one available, contact him/her now and pick their brains.

Hemp milk is really thin but full of nutrients, if that helps.

At lunch time I do a high protein chocolate Mass Weight Gainer that I get form the Vitamin Shoppe (191.9 OZ bag) I mix 2 !/4 or !/3 cups in a 16 OZ mixer with chocolate Almond milk. It tastes great and to me it's about simplicity. My swallowing is getting better after some practice and exercises following my tongue reconstruction though I don't think that it will ever be like it was before surgery.