HOW WIILL I. DO ON OPTI-FAST. !!!!!! HELP !!!!!

Finall the day is near. I have complied with the program and have been the poster child through the program. I completed my program in Windsor and at every visit have had a weight loss. I have changed my bad habits and have fully emersed myself into the program. 

I am booked for RNY  surgery January 25/16 and really I can't wait.surgeon in Guelph ordered 2 weeks of opti fast to start January 11/16. 

Ive been eating smart I excersie 4 days a week and now faced with a liquid diet that I have no idea how I will handle it. 

Yes I drink my 2 litre of water daily but now it's no food and start 2 weeks of  opti fast. To tell the truth it's the only part of the program that gives me concern. I'm not a shake drinker and never have protein drinks. 

Please let me know how you did on your opti fast and what your experience of it was. 

Would like to know what made it easier to handle and what obstacles to avoid.  

I have purchased sugar free additives to put in my opti but would love feed - back on ways to make this transition a great one for me. 

Please tell me your experiences good or bad. 

Would like as much info as possible to help me through this. 

Simon.  

Opti is one of those things you either love or hate. For me it was the later. I got through reminding myself why I was doing this. I also used the extras I was allowed. Not much at TWH but I got to love the broth.

I also used decaf coffee in my opti since I could not tolerate anymore additives in it.

You have done great up to now. You can do this. It is only 2 weeks. For me cheating on it was just cheating myself.

Good luck

Thanks for the info and your kind words. 

Simon

I was the opposite of Pat!  I loved it. The first couple of days are a challenge but you get through them. After that I found it easy. Your head is in this so you should be fine on opti. I had the odd veggies but not every day. I was through HRRH.  Good luck!!

Thanks for the post I've had a lot of great ideas 

thanks again 

Simon

Hi Simon, I didn't know about this site when I was going through Opti.  I had mine with 12 oz of really cold water, with a bottle of Crystal light in between.  Now, I'd check out the Surviving Opti thread on http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/ontario_recipes/discussion/.

Make note of what you can have on Opti, some centers allow certain veggies.  I was allowed broth and SF Jello.  Use what you have available.  And, schedule your drinks.  Take a look at your average day, and divide it so you have your shakes at equal intervals.  I did 6, 10, 2 and 6.  Then some SF jello as a snack.

You may need metemucil capsules (I didn't).  If you don't  you may have issues of liquid in liquidish out.

I had the chocolate, and didn't mind it.  Actually, there are times where I miss Opti.  Not necessarily for the taste, but for not having to think about what my next meal was, I already knew my food for 3 weeks.

You'll do fine!  And don't worry if you don't lose as much weight as you think you should.  The purpose of Opti isn't for weight loss (nice side effect) but to shrink your liver so that the docs can move around easier.

And worst case, keep your eyes on the prize.

Cathy

Thank you Cathy for the info and your kind words. 

Simon 

I did 4 weeks of optifast and I loved it.  I mixed mine and did half vanilla and half chocolate I never had to add any flavouring to either one.  I think a lot is mind over matter but the one suggestion I have is to have your water very cold.  I would fill a jug and put it in the fridge for a couple days to get super cold before you start it tastes much better ice cold.  I also had a cup of broth every night in the evening it helps mentally to think your eating something.  Again like I said all mind over matter you will want to try just a bite of food but just keep thinking is one bite going to fill me? It won't so why try it? Always remember if your liver isn't small enough come surgery you would hate to get on the table and wake up from anesthetic to find out your live wasn't small enough because you cheated on the optifast.  It gets better trust me I heard horror stories about optifast and I had an awesome experience and would do it again it I had to.  Good luck on the next chapter of your life!

Mommyx3:

thank you so much for your info. 

Simon

It is survivable, and you CAN do it!!  I survived 6 weeks, I really enjoyed the flavour of both so only added syrups a few times.  I did chocolate Opti with instant decaf coffee (folgers comes in a handy single serve pouch), and I also added caramel extract, yummy.  Oh, and I ALWAYS added ice cubes!  Chocolate with banana or mint extract was good too.  The vanilla I enjoyed it too much to mess with the flavour!  The 2 weeks will actually go quickly for you because you will be in preparation mode.  I too miss how I used to be able to make a meal in 30 seconds and I didn't have to plan, haha.