In a previous blog, I wrote about a wonderful product called Hypafix. It is an adhesive bandage that we used to hold my daughter’s feeding tube in place. While Lily no longer requires a feeding tube, she still aspirates when drinking liquids. Therefore, we have to mix in a thickening agent with everything she drinks. While there are a few different ones available, the one we like best is Simply Thick. In our state, Simply Thick is not available in stores (we live in Georgia). However, the company’s Web site does list states along with a number of retail locations that do carry the product.
While other thickening products such as Thick-It are powders, Simply Thick is a gel, and it only slightly alters the taste of the beverage you are mixing it in. In my opinion, it’s flavor is most noticeable in water. However, Lily does not seem to mind. Simply Thick also does not separate over time once it’s mixed in. One important thing to note about this product, though, is that it does not add calories whereas other thickeners do. So be sure to adjust your child’s quantities to guarantee they are receiving adequate nutrition. However, Simply Thick does contain 33% less sodium than other thickeners.
Simply Thick comes in two consistencies: Nectar Thick and Honey Thick. Even though Lily is cleared to drink the Nectar thick consistency, we buy the Honey Thick, because we calculated that it was cheaper to buy the thicker consistency and use half as much per serving. To date, we have not inquired about getting the cost of Simply Thick covered by our insurance, but the company’s Web site does state that many insurers, including Medicaid and Medicare, do cover it.
Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the wonderful customer service the company provides. As busy parents, sometimes things have a way of creeping up on you. Last month, my wife and I mistakenly thought we had more Simply Thick than we actually had. We explained the situation to the customer service representative, and they were able to rush our order at no additional charge.
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