Looks like no more Opti for me...

Thanks Kathy! That's a great way to look at it and good practice for scrutinizing the weight and measurements of food too which will be important for tracking post op. I've always rounded up or been approximate in the past with My Fitness Pal so maybe time to dust off the old food scale and get some good habits in place.

That said, I'm doing a test of sorts and trying the Opti shakes today without the Benefiber. I was adding a teaspoon to each shake out of fear of getting bunged up! But Benefiber is 100% inulin which I came to find out is part of the ragweed family so I could very well be reacting to that! So far today no breathing issues. I thought it was worth a test rather than wasting $200 worth of Opti. That's the only other thing new to my diet so it's the Opti or the Benefiber. I will report back!

I hope it was the benefibre causing the problems; glad that it's OK so far.

I have severe chronic asthma (and allergies, which trigger it) so totally understand not wanting to deal with breathing issues. I'm sick right now with a cold or flu that is triggering my asthma and feel absolutely miserable.

I'm so blessed that, unless I'm sick, my asthma is now in control. I used to feel like this all the time at my high weight.

Oh no. That's terrible Kathy. It's NOT fun at all when breathing is difficult. That has to be a real pain to deal with. Glad it's much less of an issue for you now!! Yay!

Im nearly 100% sure that it was the Benefiber causing the problems. I must have an inulin sensitivity. I'm going to stick with the Opti as long as I keep improving and I'm headed to the pharmacy now to find an alternative for fiber. Glad I waited it out and did some trouble shooting before throwing in the towel! I'm sure I could have been successful with the protein fast but I'm liking the Opti program and am happy it seems for now that I can stick with it.

Feel better quickly, Kathy!

I have severe chronic asthma too, and understand how difficult it can be to be sick. (It made the surgery/recovery more complex too!)

Thank you! I'm sorry you have to deal with this too. I had pneumonia in the spring and was down for over 2 weeks and am really hoping this won't get that bad. I can't get in to see my doctor until next week, so he said if I get worse, to go to the ER for treatment. Yesterday was really bad but today seems a bit better so I'm hoping the worst has past. I do usually get sick every time the seasons change so I'm used to it, but hate it. I'm missing some great walking/biking weather now.

Awww. I hope you get well quickly. ((Hugs))

Sorry to hear you are going through this. I hope the alternate diet isn't as challenging as you fear.

Do your best, and just think surgery is around the corner!

Good luck, can't wait to hear your on the loser's bench!!

Thank you Amanda!! I actually figured out it was the inulin in the Benefiber that was causing the reaction! So I stopped adding it to the Opti and so far it's been fine. So strange! But allergies are weird and so tricky.

Thanks for your note! I hope that you're doing great. I can't believe you're at 6 months already!! That's so awesome. I can't wait to join you. I'm really feeling so much happier and optimistic since starting on Opti and knowing this weight I have tried to get off for so long is finally going to come off. Exciting times ahead! I can't wait to feel like myself again.

Glad you figured it out!!

Thank you me too! They were happy at Toronto Western as well. I think they strongly prefer the Opti (probably because it leaves less room for patient error) so alls well now. I'm glad so relieved it worked out.