Q about Opti

Many just use instant coffee instead of using cold coffee.  I used cold coffee and I used just the coffee, no water.  

I used a teaspoon of instant decaf. 

For the Metamucil, I stuck with 2 capsules with each shake...of course, I didn't start them until after 3 days of optitrots...I had my doubts. ;) 

Personally I would wait and see how the Opti effects you before starting the Metamucil or maybe just take 1 with each shake. I read the same thing and started with 2 with each shake and didn't have much success with BMs.

and yea you're allowed decaf coffee 

I personally liked the chocolate plain, and I had them in the morning and at night so it felt like a treat.  I didn't like the vanilla as much, but I mixed it with SF Red Raspberry Torani and I thought it tasted kind of like a vivapuff cookie.  My suggestion would be to make small batches/concoctions to try before making a whole shake.  I tried chocolate and coconut extract in mine and absolutely hated it.  I would not have been able to drink a whole shake flavoured that way.  I also used a shaker cup, lots of ice, and more water than it called for (I think 400-500 ml) which helped cut the sweetness a bit.

Meg~

Opti has no fibre  Personally like benefibre. Tasteless and dissolves. You can put it in anything. Metamucil can clump and you need to drink it quickly. Some get the 'optitrots'. Me i took benefibre a few times. Just remember to up your water. I took half vanilla half chocolate. Personally i liked vanilla better. The only flavour i used was Torani sf vanilla in the vanilla opti blended with lots of ice. Don't think you need extre sweetner as pretty sweet. Good luck. Exciting times.

It's up to you which flavour you choose.  Some that have gotten vanilla and later decided they wanted chocolate added unsweetened cocoa powder to it.  I only used chocolate and didn't add anything (didn't know about doing that).  I used a shaker, and as 2 of my shakes were at work, I would wash the shaker, add water and put it in the fridge until I needed to use it again.  Kept the water really cold (didn't have ice at work).  You won't need to sweeten the shakes.

If you go to the Ontario Recipes forum, there's a thread called "Surviving Opti".  There are lots of ideas in there to help change things up.

As for Metamucil, I never took any and don't remember problems.  But don't forget, your only drinking liquids and no solids.  Also, make sure you drink lots of water in between.

No problem drinking decalf coffee.  You can have that.  Your centre will tell you what you can have with your opti.  Some are allowed certain veggies, others are limited to only a few extras.

Great tips, thank you!  I'm leaning towards half vanilla and half chocolate at this point since I can add coffee. lol  I will definitely check out those recipes.  I'm glad I asked about this in advance otherwise I wouldn't have known I could add anything!

I guess I should reread my booklet lol.

Btw did you also have to meet with a psychologist?

Don't worry, I haven't read through my whole booklet yet.  I got a new one from the surgeon last week and I'm still working on getting through it between working and being a mom! lol

No, I did not need to see a psychologist.  I didn't talk to my doctor about surgery until I was mentally ready for it after getting through some very difficult issues in my life.  I'm in a very good place mentally and incredibly happy with my life right now!  However, I do have a therapist outside of the program.  I hadn't seen her in over a year but decided to start seeing her again a couple of weeks ago just to fill her in and have someone to talk to as I go through this process.  I find it helps to have someone to talk to who isn't emotionally involved!

That's amazing. I feel the same way but thought it was mandatory through BMI. glad to see it's not. 

So excited for you and do tell us how opti goes once you start!

I have my first dietician appt on Monday and my physical and trainer on may 9. They should have my bloodwork by then.  ?