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?

Hey Lisa.. I'm doing about the same.. but i'm taking in all 4 opti's... 108 oz of water... and 2 herbal teas..

I was doing the broth too.. but found I couldn't get in the last opti... so opted for that instead... and I've noticed that i'm losing approx 1lb a day so far...

I know some people weren't able to drink the 4th opti... but figured since they recommend it.. then I will do it.. :)

Good luck with your surgery . I know i'm impatiently counting down the days to mine as well..lol

I'm not sure, but I think we are really supposed to get all four in. Maybe if you reduce your other fluids? less coffee or tea?

The manual from TWH says:

"Here is a list of calorie-free fluids you can drink.

Drink 6? ? to 8 cups a day while preparing for surgery"

(water, black coffee or tea with artificial sweetener, green, herbal or white tea,chicken, beef or vegetable broth, calorie free beverages such as sugar-free drink crystals, diet iced tea, diet pop no sugar added Jell-O®
sugar-free Popsicles)

So that would be 64 oz of those total. You seem to be having approx 144 oz of the above (if i'm calculating correctly). Perhaps you are filling up on those?

Hi TheRealMeWithin.

It is not that I am full, I am so hungry. But I can't take the sweetness of the shakes. I can manage to get three down but the fourth just gags me.

my understanding is that the 4th is required so that you get the 900 calories but also that you get the required nutrients... if you only have three you are not getting what your body requires.

I do my opti in the blender, 2 cups of cold water, 5 large ice cubes, blend until smooth and it usually fills my 32oz bottle... if it is less than the 32 after blending I add more cold water.

here are the guidelines I was given:

1. It is very important to have all four packages every day for the prescribed amount of time before surgery or as recommended by your surgeon
2. Do not have less than four shakes per day. This may result in losing muscle which will interfere with healing and proper weight loss after surgery
3. divide the four packages evenly over the day (every four hours) to avoid hunger.
4. Do not heat Optifast or add hot liquids

Hope this helps. Lisa, we are becoming fast friends... LOL

So seems I am doing a few things wrong. I am also making it like a hot chocolate. I think I am going to contact the centre.

Let us know what the centre tells you. I'm curious to find out.

And good luck with whatever they recommend :)

Wow, just realized you are at a 13 pound loss with opti! That is fantastic, good for you!

I just got off the phone with the centre, and the reason for 4 opti is to get the needed calories and all the vitamins and nutrients that is needed. She said try my best to get all 4 in, but .... if I don't it is not detrimental as some people don't even do opti.

Also she said I could use ho****er just not boiling. So that is fine.

And that the amount of water, tea, coffee and broth is ok too

good news!

And no, my 13 (which is more now, I should update) is not all from opti, some of it was before. I'm on day 8 of opti and down about 8 lbs since starting the shakes. I'm happy with that.

yes contact your centre...... because I thought it said you were with TWH and they allow it to be hot chocolate style... (read in the digital binder the recipes they provide you will find it authorized). EVERY centre has different beliefs and different steps...... some like Humber allow green vegetables. TWH does not some centres do not allow broth. TWH does. if you have questions or the advice on this site doesn't seem right call/email your own centre.