Optifast + Pre-Admission Clinic Visit

Hi All,

I am scheduled for my RNY on August 25th, 2017 at Toronto Western Hospital. The nerves are definitely starting to sink in and I am starting to feel a bit unprepared for what comes next.

I start Optifast on August 8th and was wondering if you would be willing to share your tips and tricks for getting through this phase, especially while still working in an office environment!

Also, what can I expect from my pre-admission clinic visit? The sheet provided to me has no details on it other than it could take 2-3 hours..

Thank you for your help!

- Carla

Hi Carla,

Congrats! So exciting that your Surgery date is coming closer. Optifast is the real start of an amazing journey.

I didn't go through Toronto Western; I was at St. Joe's in Toronto so things might be different, but at my pre op meeting, I met with every member of the team, starting with the surgeon. They each went over their part in the surgery, answered any questions I might have, reassured me, did a few tests (ECG or EKG...I can never remember what it's called...the heart thing), blood work (I think), weighed me, measured my waist, sent me for an Xray (I have asthma so they wanted to check my lungs); it went quickly and at the end I was sent over to my surgeon's office to pick up enough optifast to fill a suitcase (I was on it for 3 weeks)

I felt much less anxious and very good after meeting with the team; they were all so nice.

Thank you for the response. I think meeting my surgeon will really help me shake these nerves. My fingers are crossed!

Hi Carmaneel,

I just had my pre-admission clinic visit on Tuesday. So for me I seen the Pharmacist, had blood work and an ECG done, then seen the Nurse, and then the Anesthesiologist, had height and weight checked as well, you also get to find out who your surgeon will be day of, and there may be more people to see depending on any pre-existing health conditions. I was in and out within 2 hours. In regards to the Opti, have it cold as best as you can and have either sugar free syrups like Davinci or I use extracts to change up the flavour. At home I use my magic bullet, but cant bring it in to work, so I use a shaker cup and use ice cold water to have my shake at work and I space my shakes out every 4 hours, so for example at home at 7 AM is my first shake, 11 Am at work second, 3 PM at work 3rd and last at 7 PM at home. Its what works for me. Best of luck on your journey, the next little while will go by quickly!

Thank you so much for the response. I'm happy to know that I won't have to take a half day off of work to have my pre-admission done since my appointment is at 7am. Also, even though it tastes like hell I can't wait to start my Optifast. It's been a long journey to get to this point (2 years) and I am looking forward to starting the rest of my life.

Now hopefully I can shake these nerves before the big day!

No worries, yes my appointment was for 7 AM as well. Ya its kind of rough in the beginning with the Opti, but you have a great attitude towards it. I feel the same way as you, its been a long journey but were almost ready to start our 'new' lives. My nerves have been fairly ok, they keep trying to pop up but I keep pushing them away. I know the night before and morning of surgery the most nerve wracking for me, it usually is lol. I think though nerves are a natural part of this process, and any process including surgery. Were all here as sounding boards for you :)

It doesn't take that long... You meet with the nurse..anesthesiologist..and they take some blood work...as well you get pre admitted to the hospital. I think I was only there for just over an hour.. they are very very quick.

As for optifast... just make sure it's very cold.. I just put mine in a shaker bottle with ice and shook it all up...

Thank you! :)

I make my Opti into 'ice caps' almost. Lots of ice, water and some decaf coffee in my Vitamix and loved them. The first few days are tough but after that it gets much easier. It's actually a lot easier than trying to figure out what to eat, knowing that you just have to make a shake.

I had my surgery at Toronto Western and my two pieces of advice are:

1)If you have extra insurance be sure to bring your insurance card (so you can get a semi private/private room)

2) go a bit early for your pre-op appointment because mine was at 7 AM as well and they seem to book several people at the same time, so you can be one of the first to pick a number and get out as soon as possible.

Other than that you should be just fine. Nerves are normal.

Good luck with everything! The TWH group are great! You're in great hands!

Hi Carla,

I had my surgery at TWH on May 29th. Pre-Admission was close to 3 hours a lot of sitting and waiting lol they did blood work, EKG, you spoke to a nurse as well as the guy that gives you the meds to put you out...lol forget what he is called. It was very easy stuff just more time sitting then anything really.

Optifast was pretty easy for me as i liked the taste of them....i found they were much better with ice tho. I myself work in an office and was able to bring in my magic bullet..I would have my first one when i got in at 9am, one at 1230ish and another one around 430 so that when i left for home and had to be around everyone eating i was full. Then my last one at 7 at night. I just chewed sugar free gum between them all and drank lots of water.

I hope this helped you out. Good luck :)

Nikki