Well I was forced to go in search of answers behind the Maltitol and Glycerin mystery.  

Anyways, Maltitol is a "sort of" carbohydrate with only 2.1 calories per gram.  It's absorbed much more slowly and this is why manufactures don't count them as effective carbs.  However, the FDA says they must be counted as carbohydrates -- and thus a huge controversy ensues.   It's deemed safe for diabetics, but that doesn't tell me how bariatric patients absorb Maltitol.  This is something I'd really like to know, but I imagine I need a nutritionist who has a fair knowledge of gastric bypass patients -- otherwise all I get is a bunch of blank stares.

Glycerin is even more interesting because many people believe it deserves its own category.  Glycerin contains 4.3 calories per gram, but does not act like a carbohydrate because it does not invoke the pancreas to produce insulin.  But once again the FDA weasels in there and deems it must be counted as a carb. 

*shrug* What'd I learn from all of this?  That I'll probably keep on doing whatever the hell I want.

And now the exciting news. *thumbsup* 

I have a stricture again.  It started Saturday morning and progressively became worse.  I'm to the point now that I can't even tolerate pureed foods.  Weeee  Of course the doctors say, or rather or favorite fellow Dr. "Hwang" but I prefer Wong, yes Wong says that a stricture doesn't happen overnight.  Well it does to me so Pffft! 

So I called Dr. Chang's office, but the gal wanted me to call my PCP to see what she would like to do.  Well, like me, I rather believe she would like this taken care of as soon as possible, but ok, let's waste some time.  Unfortunately I didn't hear back from her and now I'm gonna have to bug folks in the morning.  I do not want to end up in the hospital lying in a bed from hell while being hog-tied to an IV.

I can't decide whether I wanna gouge my eyes out or go bury myself in the backyard.