Mental Fog?

I am on day 9 of the Optifast pre-op diet, so I'm getting about 950 calories a day. I also eat 2 cups of broccoli, peppers and celery per day.

I've noticed in the past few days that I get quite tired at night and have to go to bed early. I've also been finding it difficult to stay on task at work. I am a magazine editor and I have been making more mistakes in my work than usual.

Then on Monday night I turned on the wrong burner on our stove and destroyed our toaster. I did it again last night! Thankfully it was only a plastic serving spoon.

My husband says I have "Opti Brain". Is this a thing? Has anyone else experienced this?

Inhave 2 more weeks to go and I'm afraid of what I might devolve to by then LOL.

You drastically changed diet and the body is adapting. For me- the pre-op Opti glad to much sugar- carbs (15) per serving, and I would get sugar high, and then drop in blood sugar. Even before my WLS. I adapted by mixing them with another shakes that were also allowed on my surgeon list. I used half of each, limiting sugar per serving.

Also - we had to give up coffee and tea during Opti, so that also took time for my body to adjust. I used to drink lots of coffee and back tea. There were my "pick me up" stuff.

Hopefully it is temporary. But you may mention that to the doc when you see them.

Also check your BP. Sometimes when mine drops too low I feel off. For me - I have to remember to add salt to my diet. Since I don't eat a lot, and I don't eat a lot of processed foods, sometimes I don't get enough salt in my diet. Salt is important. To much may not be good, but not enough is also not good.

Great points, thanks! I have an appointment my my GP tomorrow and will ask to get my sugar tested and of course BP taken.

The salt thing is interesting - I'm getting none, other than what's in the Optifast.

I think it is withdrawal. I gave up all sugar and caffeine six months before surgery, so did not have problems with the pre-op, which for me was a total liquid diet.

Agree with those on sugar and caffeine withdrawal. It will get better. Hang in there.

At least you have an excuse to buy a cool new toaster!

Sounds like a version of what I do every time I go into ketosis. My blood sugar drops to pretty scary levels and my brain doesn't function well AT ALL.

It's my understanding that most people experience "carb flu" when moving to a ketogenic diet, but it goes away in a fairly short period of time for most people. It doesn't for me, it just keeps getting worse.

I'd suggest getting with your doctor and making sure it's nothing serious.

We call this the "carb flu". Your body is displeased with you for not feeding it any instant energy. This is just an idea, but how about feeding it some extra protein? That sticks in your body longer and may help.

Thanks all. I didn't drink caffeine - very little pop or tea, no coffee. So I guess it's carbs/sugar.

I have been tempted to sneak a little lean chicken or fish but I don't want to cheat. It's a mental thing, I want to be proud of myself. But if it doesn't improve this weekend I'll give my nurse a call.