Not drinking 4 opti a day

Hi Folks.

Can anyone tell me what the drawbacks will be if I only drink 3 opti a day not 4. I can get the three in but by the time the 3rd is done I am not able to get a fourth. I can't drink them cold they just won't go down. I drink them with ho****er and a 1/2 tablespoon (10 calories) of pure coco. I also drink lots of water and a bit of broth.

This is my day one: 3 opti, 104 oz of water, 1 cup of broth (5 calories, low sodium), 2 black decaf coffee, 2 black decaf tea. Totla of 715 calories.

Am I on the right track?

Are you pre-op? Also, are you Canadian -- is this your required diet?

I can't imagine that one less Opti would be an issue. However, I wasn't require to drink Opti in particular for my program, so you'd likely be better served by asking your surgery center to be sure.

The fact that you are staying on your liquid diet without "cheating" however, tells me you are certainly "on the right track!"

Thanks Kat.

Yes I am pre-op - Surgery June 20. And yes I am Canadian. Here we are prescribed opti to reduce the size of the liver. I was prescribed 3 weeks of it at 4 times a day. Usually a week per 100 pounds you weigh.

It is only day two of this liquid diet, but I am determined. If they are going to re-arrange my insides I am going to do everything I can to make it a success. I am hoping the one less doesn't hurt.

Thanks for the response.

I figured --- I know the Opti is required for most of the programs there.

I was also on a liquid diet before surgery -- I was supposed to have 3 to 5 protein shakes per day (under 200 calories, more than 18 grams of protein, and less than 5 carbs) but was permitted to choose whichever I liked. Like you, I was allowed broth and other liquids as well.

The reason I asked was because so many times different shakes are easier/better for people than others. I found some shakes absolutely impossible to get down -- and others actually pleasant. However, knowing that you are expected to use Opti in your program -- I wouldn't recommend that you go against your center's plan without asking them.

So going on the assumption that you must use the Opti shakes, I cannot imagine that drinking one less would affect you negatively. I had the same attitude that you have -- and I also kept to the pre-op diet. I was determined to make real and lasting changes. Again, I am not your surgeon or program -- but, it sounds to me like you have the absolute right mindset going in to be truly successful.

If your program is insistent on that 4th shake, could you simply add a 1/3 of one to each of your three intakes to get it in? Also, could you add some to your coffee like a flavored creamer? How about blending it with some ice to make it more palatable?

Thank you Kat. I love that people take the time out of their day to be so helpful.

Siberiancat also mentioned the same thing to split the 4 shakes into 3. I would have never thought of that and it is something I am pretty confident I can do.

I did put a call into my centre as I am hearing now that you shouldn't heat the opti I have been making hot chocolate out of it. I did try the cold and well....it wasn't very pleasant.

I will do whatever it is they tell me whether I like it or not but if there are ways to make it more tolerable that is the way I want to go.

Thanks again for your responses.

I am just curious for the reason you aren't supposed to heat it? I think quite a few people heat their chocolate protein shakes to make "hot" chocolate -- did they give you an actual reason why this isn't okay?

Another patient from my centre cut and pasted something out of her guide that said not to heat.

But while on lunch I looked at my book and it says we can use ho****er just not boiling. I use water from a water dispenser not from a kettle so I think I should be ok.

I did call the centre, but am waiting a call back.

Could you divide your 4th Opti into thirds and add that third to each of the three times you drink it? The volume wouldn't be that much more - just a couple of swallows and you could get all 4 Opti's in 3 doses.

Your body needs the nutrition from the Opti, since you aren't getting much nutrition from anything else you are consuming.

Just an idea.

Penny

Brilliant! I would have never thought of that. Thank you. This I can do!

Thank you siberiancat.

Optifast is mentioned in here frequently and never in a positive way. It must be horrible.