2 weeks from today and Optifast is here

Hi everyone.
My surgery is 2 weeks from today.  Oh my gosh I can't believe it!!  Also my Optifast arrived.  I started it this morning.  I have to say it is tolerable.  I think if I had used a blender and a couple ice cubes it would have tasted better.  But I think I can handle it.  I hated slimfast but I can handle this one.  I got all chocolate because I am not a fan of vanilla flavoured things of any kind.  I have my last appointment before surgery next Tuesday November 25th.  It will be interesting to see how much I lose in the first week on the Optifast.  I just packed my lunch for today.  2 Optifast packets and a couple liters of water.  I am lucky, we have a little fridge at work that keeps things really cold so my next shake will be better I think.  They didn't provide an optifast shaker with my order but I have one that I got at GNC.  I am going to go get a couple more just for convenience.  So that is my update.  I will keep you posted.
Ann

They didn't provide me with a shaker either.  cheap!  that's why i used the stick blender.  it was portable and convenient and mixed the shakes up really good.  I knew you wouldn't mind them.  and like I said the colder the better!!!!  enjoy !

You`re off Ann!  I know you will be an inspiration to me and the rest of the waiters!  Hey I just realized that I am probably next to start Optifast!  This an exciting time, isn`t Ann and Patsy. I feel like I am on the edge of an adventure. Our speaker today, Mary, (who is lerking around here but hasn`t posted yet) was a real inspiration. She was just so excited about her own success, it was infectious.

Yes I am off.  I would be lying to you if I said I like the shakes.  I see them as necessity.  I will be able to tolerate them but I just put my head back and dump it all in all at once.  I am drinking it only when I get hungry so there is no specific time frame between shakes.  I tried to keep it morning, near lunch, near supper and about 2 hours before bed.  If I fall into a routine that works for me I will let you know.  The first day was tough because I got kinda headachy.  I am not sure if I am fighting a cold or if its just food withdrawal.  And I got hungry - really badly - twice but I think that will pass as my body realizes that its only going to get shakes for the next 2 weeks.  I popped some gum in my mouth both times and drank some water.  I did go through a lot of water yesterday, about 4 liters with the shakes and the snacks - actually I drank water pretty continuous, little sips every 10 minutes or so -  just trying to get through the day without eating something I shouldn't.  But one day down - 13 to go.  I was down 3 pounds this morning from yesterday. Some fluid I expect but I am expecting a good loss over the next 2 weeks.  I am getting anxious to get the surgery over with.  I want to just get on with the business of getting used to the band so I can enjoy my cruise in February.  I will keep you posted as to how I progress. 
I am glad you had a good info session Charline, things will move fast from here on in.  You are indeed on the edge of an adventure.  Life is about to change and only for the better.
Ann

be careful not to flush the shakes through your stomach too quickly.  Make sure you let them sit in your stomach for a while as it will help to make you feel full longer.  Remember the colder the better.  What I did sometimes would be to make the shake, dump in 3 or 4 ice cubes and stir it like crazy to force the ice to chill it quickly.  it works.  They aren't very yummy warm or just slightly cold.  keep trying !!!!!!!!

Good Luck Mess!
I am sure you will do perfect on your 2 week stint...you wrote the book on "focused for success"!  I am so excited for you!

Take Care,
C

Thanks, Much appreciated.  I am doing well today.  3 shakes down and one left.  Patsy is right, The colder the better and they are growing on me I think.  I put some water in a couple of water bottles that I normally carry back and forth to work every day and put them in the freezer over night.  Then in the morning I filled the bottle the rest of the way with water.  When I got to work I put one out to start thawing a bit and chilling my water.  Then when I wanted my shake, I had icy cold water and it was not bad at all.  Another thing I did was last evening I went to GNC and purchase 3 little shaker bottles with a little wire wisk like ball inside.  They are just the right size for my shakes and they really blend the powder up nicely.  I was far and away happier with the taste, the texture and the satisfaction I got today.  I do not drink any****er for about an hour after a shake.  I just let it sit in my tummy for a while so that I get the maximun out of it. 

First day out was not so great, but I was persistant and I was optimistic.  Today with Patsy's advice and all the encouragement I did wonderfully well.  I am still a bit headachey and I had a spell where my knees were a bit rubbery first thing this morning but as the day went along I felt better.  I took some tylenol for the headache and I am going to try to get more rest by going to bed a bit earlier than usual for a few days just until my body gets used to the reduced calories.  In between I am drinking lots and lots of water.  I find the sodium a little high in the shakes - 500mg per shake which to a sodium sensitive person like me is a bit much.  My feet and ankles are a bit swollen but not too bad that I can't manage. 

All in all, this was a good day and this is going to be okay.  I can do it and anyone following me like Charline W., who is next up I think with Dr. Beau, if you do it cold cold cold and shake shake shake you will do just fine. 
Ann

I don`t think I will hve a problem with the taste. I managed to drink the PC diet shake and it was not really very good at all.
The headache is the withdrawal from the sugar in your system. It takes about 3 days for you liver to run out of stored sugar, then the weight will start to melt away!!