1 month and 6 days before my procedure.

Hey Guys,

Just got my optifast 900 this week. It got left out in the rain by the delivery boy! Now I have to wait for a new batch to come. I hear a lot of people don't like it much. There are a lot of recipes out there to make it better, but what would you guys recommend?

Howdy from E. TX!

As to Optifast I personally did not use it. That being said as with ANY of the protein powders/drinks/bars what ever you like before surgery may taste like horse apples after surgery. So don't stockpile too much of it till you are post op and have experimented a little bit.

Only other advise for a newbie is in the signature line!

I did the Adkins option and the slimfast option below. I alsoagree with Don on both fronts. You tastes will change so don't over buy, AND never ever trust a fart. I learned the hard way at work. :-)

Below is the directions for my pre op two week diet. I lost almost 20 lbs on it.

Instructions for Liquid Diet Before Surgery

Once you are given your surgery date you will be asked to follow an 800 calorie full liquid diet for 2 weeks before your surgery. The reason for following this liquid diet is to initiate rapid weight loss which will result in a decrease in the size of your liver. This will make the surgery easier for your surgeon to perform and safer for you. You will also become more familiar with the full liquid diet you will be following once discharged from the hospital.

Below are 2 options that are recommended for the 800 calorie full liquid diet. If you would like to use other products discuss this with your dietitian, to ensure you are also meeting the recommended protein amount of 60 grams per day. You will also be able to include water, Crystal Light, decaf tea, sugar free gelatin or sugar free popsicles in addition to the 800 calories in full liquids.

4 ½ cans of "High Protein" Slim Fast daily
or
5 ½ packets of "No Sugar Added" Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink mixed with fat free or 1% milk daily
or
5 individual cartons of Atkins Advantage daily
or
4 ½ bottles of "Glucose Controlled" Boost daily

**If you have diabetes and are taking oral medications and/or insulin you will want to discuss this with your doctor that manages your diabetes. You may also choose to use products that are NOT "low carbohydrate" versions. Make sure to monitor your blood sugars more closely as this is a very drastic change in your diet. Call your doctor if you are experiencing high or low blood sugars

Are you required to use Optifast? There are a million other options out there if you can.

That is what they MAKE you pay for and take.

If you can afford it, try another brand of powders. All the premixed I tried tasted like crap. Syntrax has great stats and flavors, and many mix with water.

If it were me, I'd count the Opti as a sunk cost and write it off. I couldn't stand drinking it.

Am I allowed to put sweetner like Splenda in coffee or does it have to be black!

Basically, everything tastes like crap. Just jump through whatever hoops your surgeon wants. After your surgery it won't matter anymore. You can do it!

Thanks, had the chocolate this morning and the vanilla at lunch. I like the chocolate a lot more than the vanilla.