When to cut back on fortisips

Durhamlady said:

I have never been a big eater but now I can only eat very small amounts and I am wondering if this is because I am still on fortisips.

Is it because you feel full? 
if that’s the case then abandon them. They are a complete meal replacement but proper food is much better for you. 
I stopped mine as soon as I could eat, just keeping some back for when I had a bad eating day or early in my recovery when I was out and about and eating was inconvenient. A banana and a mocha fortisip did the job. 

Hi Lillian

How many a day are you consuming?.....what was your treatment?

Peter

Hi Lillian. Wow 2 years well done been a long road for you. Ditch the fortispis  put some to one side for like Dani says those days when it’s hard or you’re out and about. They are a meal in itself so up the regular food it may take you longer to eat but that’s when the microwave can help a quick 15 seconds reheat if food has gone cokd

hugs Hazel   

Yes Dani it is because I am full but neither my dietitian or consultant have ever brought the subject up so I am still on 3 a day 

Lillian

I had 30 radiotherapy.  I am on 3 a day    
Lillian

Hi Lillian

I had T2N1M0 HPV16+ tonsil cancer 30 radio and 4 chemo...PEG for 5 months....20 months on and I am eating well...taste about 90%....hated the Jevity/Ensure protein feeds but it helped my weight stabilise...

Peter

Hi Peter, I still struggle with my swallow, how do you manage meat and fish.  I can chew the life out of it but it doesn’t go down. I am trying different foods but still struggling.  My taste buds are not bad but a lot of what I eat stings my throat, I don’t know why because I don’t eat anything spicy    
Lillian

One of the first things I could enjoy was battered Haddock and chips with about a litre of water to wash it down....beef is not something I eat a lot of...tastes a bit bland now...certain pies are OK....chicken with plenty of sauce....I'm back to eating my favourite.... curries...tikka masala for dinner tonight...my taste is still returning...little by little...week by week

Peter

Wow, I love Tikka Masala but I darent try it in case it is to spicy 

Hi Lillian. I am the same as you as I have difficulty chewing and things just go around in my mouth and won't go down unless I puree them. I am also on 3 Fortisip a day to keep my calories up and have been since my last maxillectomy in 2022. I tried giving up the Fortisip but could not keep the weight on so am still on them. Maybe just start by cutting out one Fortisip and see how that goes and weigh yourself weekly to make sure you don't start losing weight. If that goes O.K. then cut out another Fortisip. Congratulations because you are trying different foods already which is half the battle. Just proceed slowly as cutting all the Fortisips out in one go might be a bit too fast. For me I'm keeping on with the Fortisips as they significantly help me with my nutrient intake but everyone is different. If you are unsure what to do get some advice from your dietician as keeping weight on at and maintaining a healthy BMI is very important.

Lyn