Optifast Help

LettingLayneyLoose
on 5/3/17 7:39 pm

I'm on day 12 of Optifast and it was going swimmingly until yesterday. Now every time I try to drink one of the shakes, I start gagging and vomiting. Suddenly they've gone from relatively non-offensive, to the most vile concoction ever created. I've been mixing them up in a blender with ice and cinnamon or just shaking them with ice water in a blender bottle.

I have 16 more weeks of Optifast to go and I don't know how I'm going to make it. At this point, the thought of drinking 368 more of these shakes makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry. I do not qualify for the surgical program here in Ontario because I don't have any comorbitities, so the medical program is the only option for me now. I was so excited to do this and haven't had any significant hunger or craving issues.

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting through the Optifast? I hate artificial sweeteners, so flavourings with aspartame or splenda are out.

Did anyone experience a sudden (and hopefully temporary) revulsion towards Opti?

HW: 299 CW: 165 GW: 150

Started Optifast on April 21, 2017 at 248lbs through the Ontario Bariatric Network medical program.

oneatatime
on 5/3/17 9:40 pm
RNY on 09/01/17

Oh, that sounds awful. I'm so sorry.

I haven't tried opti yet; I'm not at that stage yet. I have heard of people mixing it with decaf coffee (or just coffee if you're allowed caffeine). I used to brew and refrigerate coffee for shakes I used to do, and that improved them immensely. I added the coffee, milk (I'll need to do water for opti) and ice.

Good luck! I'm sure others will have suggestions.

LettingLayneyLoose
on 5/4/17 5:24 am

Thank you. Coffee sounds like a good option. I'll try that today.

HW: 299 CW: 165 GW: 150

Started Optifast on April 21, 2017 at 248lbs through the Ontario Bariatric Network medical program.

LauraLeafFan
on 5/3/17 9:50 pm

You must be tall then because I qualified with just my bmi. I drank mine the same way as you...ice and cinnamon...it had to be cold.

LettingLayneyLoose
on 5/4/17 5:27 am

My BMI right now is 36.2 at 5'8".

HW: 299 CW: 165 GW: 150

Started Optifast on April 21, 2017 at 248lbs through the Ontario Bariatric Network medical program.

LauraLeafFan
on 5/4/17 5:53 am

Yep you are tall...i am only 5'3". I know someone who was very successful with the opti weight loss program. You got this!!

eLoon77
on 5/3/17 9:56 pm
RNY on 09/22/17

16 more weeks?! Yikes. That's a challenge for anyone I think. Which flavour are you drinking? I know I struggle with texture so I'm dreading the shakes as well and I also don't like to use sweeteners. Maybe try vanilla extract or coconut extract along with the caffeine free coffee mentioned above. Hang in there!

Feb 17/16 - orientation TWH | March 3/16 - nurse | Nov 22/16 - Phone call f/u re-entry | Oct 18/16 - nurse | Nov 29/16 - nut class | Feb 16/17 - social worker | March 7/17 - nut apt | March 22/17 - psych apt | March 30/17 - team approved | May 5/17 - surgeon apt | June 8/17 - endoscopy | Sept 22/17 SURGERY RNY @TWH

crqvingchange
on 5/4/17 3:49 am

I added instant decaf coffee to mine. Blended it with lots of ice. I also used a large cup with a lid and straw so that I didn't have to smell it. I drank it fairly quickly. The shakes are sweet enough, so you can go and buy flavour extracts that have no sweetener (Bulk Barn has lots of these). Some people made optifast pudding, but I don't think that would have worked for me. Hope this helps.

CENTURY CLUB MEMBER at 6 months post-op.

Referral to Guelph Feb/13, Sleep study and all bloodwork and ultrasound May/13, orientation July/13. Nurse, NUT,SW Sept/13, 2nd NUT, nurse and SW, 3rd round and cleared for surgery Dec/13. Pre-op Apr 7/14, Surgeon May 2/14, Opti Jul 3/14, surgery Jul 17/14.

AngelaBfromwindsor
on 5/4/17 6:05 am

I had to do opti for 18 days and what I liked the best and I tried all kinds of ways was, a teaspoon of decafe coffee, coconut extract, and couple dashes of cinnamon! I actually still crave one till today and I'm 11 weeks out! Hope this helps and best of luck!

Orientation Feb, 1,2016

Meet Dr.Bohjani Jan.18,2017- 286lbs

Started optifast Jan.26,2017

Surgery date Feb,13,2017- 268lbs

AngelaBfromwindsor
on 5/4/17 6:07 am

Oh ya I forgot the ice, it's so much better ice cold! U can also add a bit more water than stated, it's not as thick this way that may help!

Orientation Feb, 1,2016

Meet Dr.Bohjani Jan.18,2017- 286lbs

Started optifast Jan.26,2017

Surgery date Feb,13,2017- 268lbs

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