Susiebabs
Well-Known Member
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- 406
On Tuesday I was in for a bit of relatively minor surgery, but since I have OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea) they decided to do the op by spinal block without sedation rather than general anaesthetic to protect my airways. I was pretty cool about it and even got to see my insides on camera during the op (not for everyone I know, but I find that kind of thing fascinating!). Unfortunately due to the type of anaesthetic, the OSA and being a Type 2 Diabetic I had to stay in overnight.
I explained right at the beginning on admission to the nurse that I was eating a low carb diet and they were very interested and asked me what type of things I could/couldn't eat and said they would sort me out with something for dinner. This is very much in line with the booklet that was there saying they would do what they could to support anyone who had any particular eating needs.
The op was a success and I was back in the ward for 1pm waiting for my lower body to 'wake up' so not too hungry (even though I'd been fasting since 8pm the night before - though I also experience in general less 'hunger pangs' since I've removed most carbs....no ups and downs you see!). I was next to the nursing station so could hear the staff nurse on the phone asking for my dinner and what a palava that turned out to be ..... the options for dinner that night were vegetable lasagne (with croquet potatoes), pasta bolognese (all mixed together) or sandwiches. None of which were suitable for me. In the end they made up a ham salad with grapes.....excellent salad but not so good on the grapes considering I'm a diabetic...but hey ho I just skipped them and I got some food down me and felt much better. But the staff nurse then told me the catering people had said to her that if I was having any more meals like that I would need to have them 'prescribed' for me by the dietician...?!? :shock: In all fairness she was as bemused by their attitude as I was.
In the end I had my daughter bring me in some cheese and cold meats and a cup of cocoa made with cream, at visiting time. I ate some of the meat and cheese and drank the cocoa and the nurses kindly put the rest of the meat and cheese in the fridge. This meant I was able to fashion myself a breakfast of cold meat, spread with butter and wrapped around cheese, for my breakfast the next day as the ONLY options on offer from the hopsital were three different types of cereal and toast with margerine or butter and jam!
I'm delighted to say that my levels stayed absolutely solid over the whole surgery experience - only rising to a peak of 7 just after the surgery while I was in recovery, but that was mostly due to the meds I had been given and the small shock my body had and they dropped back below 6 within 4 hours. They were testing me every two hours at least during the whole time I was in - still have sore fingers as their lances are a lot more punchy than my normal ones.
I was really gratified at how interested and accepting the nurses were - one of them even said she's going to go and talk to her brother (newly diagnosed T2) about looking into LCHF having spoken to me. Just really disappointing that the catering team and provision doesn't seem to be able to get their head round it.
I'm due to go in again early next year for another wee procedure and probably will be in overnight again and having to have a spinal....so this time I'll know to make sure I have proper food provision with me before I go!
Anyone else had experiences with hospital or institutional food?
I explained right at the beginning on admission to the nurse that I was eating a low carb diet and they were very interested and asked me what type of things I could/couldn't eat and said they would sort me out with something for dinner. This is very much in line with the booklet that was there saying they would do what they could to support anyone who had any particular eating needs.
The op was a success and I was back in the ward for 1pm waiting for my lower body to 'wake up' so not too hungry (even though I'd been fasting since 8pm the night before - though I also experience in general less 'hunger pangs' since I've removed most carbs....no ups and downs you see!). I was next to the nursing station so could hear the staff nurse on the phone asking for my dinner and what a palava that turned out to be ..... the options for dinner that night were vegetable lasagne (with croquet potatoes), pasta bolognese (all mixed together) or sandwiches. None of which were suitable for me. In the end they made up a ham salad with grapes.....excellent salad but not so good on the grapes considering I'm a diabetic...but hey ho I just skipped them and I got some food down me and felt much better. But the staff nurse then told me the catering people had said to her that if I was having any more meals like that I would need to have them 'prescribed' for me by the dietician...?!? :shock: In all fairness she was as bemused by their attitude as I was.
In the end I had my daughter bring me in some cheese and cold meats and a cup of cocoa made with cream, at visiting time. I ate some of the meat and cheese and drank the cocoa and the nurses kindly put the rest of the meat and cheese in the fridge. This meant I was able to fashion myself a breakfast of cold meat, spread with butter and wrapped around cheese, for my breakfast the next day as the ONLY options on offer from the hopsital were three different types of cereal and toast with margerine or butter and jam!
I'm delighted to say that my levels stayed absolutely solid over the whole surgery experience - only rising to a peak of 7 just after the surgery while I was in recovery, but that was mostly due to the meds I had been given and the small shock my body had and they dropped back below 6 within 4 hours. They were testing me every two hours at least during the whole time I was in - still have sore fingers as their lances are a lot more punchy than my normal ones.
I was really gratified at how interested and accepting the nurses were - one of them even said she's going to go and talk to her brother (newly diagnosed T2) about looking into LCHF having spoken to me. Just really disappointing that the catering team and provision doesn't seem to be able to get their head round it.
I'm due to go in again early next year for another wee procedure and probably will be in overnight again and having to have a spinal....so this time I'll know to make sure I have proper food provision with me before I go!
Anyone else had experiences with hospital or institutional food?
