Help!

My surgery is scheduled for Jan 24/08. I begin the optifast plan on the 9th and I see my surgeon once more before surgery on the 15th. My problem is I have not been able to lose any of the weight (he said atleast 10 lbs) before he sees me again on the 15th. I have 11 days and I am sure the optifast plan will help me lose some of it but I am very frustrated. I dont want anything to prevent me from having the surgery and I fear this may do it. I am hypothyroid which has been the main contributor to my weight gain in the last 3 years and it has also prevented me from losing weight. My dosage had recently been changed which is what I am sure is preventing me from losing. Can anyone please give me any suggestions to help me lose the weight, I am desperate. I dont want to do it the wrong way because I know I will need all my strenght for the surgery. Can anyone tell me how much weight they lost on the optifast diet ? I have to do something....

Sinday -

Every program has a different protocol. My didn't require an optifast diet of me, while they do require something along those lines for some. Since you are having problems, I would contact your Dr's office for some help and support. Remember that they are there to help you. Generally, when they have you go on this type of diet, it is to help shrink your liver which makes the surgery easier and safer. It may be that as long as you are on the diet they are prescribing the actual pound lost might not be as big a deal as your adherence to the program.  If you are having trouble sticking with it, you might make yourself a little card with your photo on it and the reasons for having the surgery .... look at that everytime you feel weakness coming upon you. Remember that the shortterm pleasure isn't going to be worth the longterm cost.

I wish you all the best in your quest for a healthier you.

Barb

Hi Sinday,   Much like Barb I was not required to go on any special diet before surgery.  The doctor did suggest in our first meeting several months before, "cutting down" on any fatty foods and things of that nature for a week or so to help the liver shrink for more easily access of my stomach.   I went in on a Monday to find out my surgery date, and HAD THE SURGERY Wednesday of the same week!! lol... Doc had, had a "cancellation" as he put it lol and said you wanna do it?  That night I went to a Chinese resteraunt and ate til I thought I'd be sick!! lol then the next day did liquids.  I had no problems at all and was home EARLY on the 4th day after surgery!   My starting weight was 380!  So, he had  A LOT to access thru!!   But as I said they had no problems!!   Me personally, I would do the best I could and don't sweat the rest!! GOOD LUCK and keep in touch!! Connie

Hi, I had my surgery on Oct. 19th.  Dr. Chapman is my surgeon too.  I lost about 15 pounds on the optifast.  Now, it's not the most pleasant thing to drink but stick with it and you will lose weight.  Dr. C is very, very good and if you have lost some weight when you see him for your preop apt on the 15th you should be fine.  He just wants to make sure you will stick to the program.   Now, more about the optifast.  I did fine with the chocolate and vanilla, but I couldn't drink the strawberry.  So if you are a chocolate lover, make sure you get more chocolate.  I had about 1/3 of each flavor and I had lots of strawberry left over.  I passed them on to a friend who had surgery yesterday and he couldn't tolorate the strawberry either. You will do fine, just keep in mind that the 2 weeks pre surgery and 2 weeks after are just a short period to get through to get to the ultimate goal you are after and that is to get healthier and lose weight.   Feel free to PM me if you need to talk.... Hang in there,  Alice