Start Optifast Today Yeh! Any Do's or Don't's to pass on?

I start my Optifast today Yeh!!! And I see the Anesthetist and the Nurse at the Vic tomorrow
then July 3rd Surgery.  Wow it seems like it has been forever to get to today.

Well, had my final meal last night and as I looked at my plate I realized my portion size would never be this size again.  I felt like I was at a funeral of an old friend who had been sick for
a very long time.  You are sad to see them go and you are feeling the loss but you know
they are not in pain anymore so you are happy for them as they are in a better place.

As of today I know that I am on the road to a better life style for me and my family. 
I feel excited, nervous, impatient and so much more.
My daughter and I talked yesterday and she said
"boy has this been a long wait we talked to your GP in February 2010
and finally on July 3, 2012 you are getting your surgery.  When is the Health Care System
going to realize that they would save a lot of money down the road if they would just
help all the people wanting this surgery and give it to them. 
They would save inso many ways in the long run.  What is wrong with this picture?"  

I told her more people like you need to speak out for people like us or maybe we need
to all have a lawn chair protest down at the Legislative Building for more Bariatric Surgeries. 
Everyone who wants the surgery, has had it or anyone who supports it bring a lawn chair
and a sign maybe this will get their attention.  I can see the news head lines
Health Care Wont Help People Get Healthy.  

Well I am sorry I was venting as I feel for everyone who is waiting. Egg shell walk for
both the Dr's as there hands are tied in some way with Health Care System and for
us as we want to be accepted plus the wait and jumping thought all the hoops is
nerve wrenching.  

Sorry venting again.

I am really happy for today and if anyone can give me any advice on the Doe's and Dont's
while on the Optifast I really would appreciate it.

Thanks to everyone for all your kind words and encouragement when my surgery got
canceled and since I have become a member on this site.

This site truly is a life line of encouragement, learning and love. 

Thanks again.  Robynjoy 

Hi Robynjoy, I am so happy for you, you sound really ready for this to happen.  As far as advice.  I found that keeping myself busy was the best thing for me.  I tried to organize and clean up my house as best I could so when I got home from surgery I wouldn't feel like I had to clean or do laundry and could really rest and concentrate to me.  Keeping busy helped keep my mind off food too.  Although I didn't really feel hungry and most days I had to try hard to get the 4th shake in before bed.  I liked it best  made with crushed ice and cold coffee and I added some sugarfree flavourings in to give me some variety.  For the most part did not cheat I stuck to my shakes and water and clear tea and after the surgery Dr. Andrew said that I had done amazingly well on the diet and it made the surgery so much easier for both of us.  Good incentive not to cheat!   I had a few awful cravings for salty things like crackers but they passed.  I did have half a cup of chicken broth twice when the salt cravings got too bad.  When I had the sense that I needed to chew something I tried sugarfree gum but it made it worse for me so I went without.

The next 2 weeks are gonna fly by and you'll be in recovery before you know it.  Good luck and I am so glad it's gonna be your turn soon!

Yeah, yeas, keep busy, find some projects to do in the evening. Stay out of the kitchen as much as possible and if it is possible to not have to make meals for others in the house that would be really good for you,...no temptations of nibbling while preparing meals.
I made up a bunch of pureed soups and froze them so they would be ready for me when I got home. Again, you don't want to have to start cooking when you get home as you are still on liquids for the week, then pureed. I found after surgery worse than before, not boing how much to eat, and how often. At least when you are on the Optifast you know, 4 shakes over the day and that's it, you are done. I actually liked them. I mixed them with COLD CHI TEA and ice cubes in a blender...they were like smoothies and tasted great!
I am now at day 22 and Can't wait till next week when I can start soft real food. PS, the nurses in rm 217 where I was are great, they won't rush you home if you aren't ready and don't leave until you can get your breakfast down without throwing up! Good luck,Barb C