Optifast + Lactose Intolerant?

Hi! I'm in the process of getting RNY in Ottawa, and I had a question. I just realized Optifast has milk product in it...and I'm lactose intolerant! Do they have a substitute for Optifast before surgery, or will they just tell me to 'suck it up' and deal with it? I plan on bringing this up at my next appointment, but wanted to ask you guys too.

Hi Lina_Ann,

I'm sure they won't tell you to suck it up! I don't know what the alternative is, but definitely bring it up... this process is about getting healthy, and they aren't going to get you sick in the process. :)

No doubt someone who's lactose intolerant will join in the convo soon!

Best of luck on your journey!

I know that they have substituted slimtime before for optifast... but think it was the sugar substitute in it that was the reason for the switch... don't know if it has lactose in it or not.. might be something to look into

I was extremely lactose intolerant since birth (my mom had to switch my formula as a baby) during my process i explained to dietician and the nurse i was lactose intolerant they told me to mention it to the surgeon when i had my OTN (i went threw Sudbury bariatric process is a little different then other hospitals) When i spoke to the surgeon he told me there is little lactose in the opti fast and to try it for a day first and if i had issues to contact his office and i would be given an alternate option. I drank 2 weeks of optifast with no issue i actually became very constipated for the first time in my life (i've had diarrhea my whole life) Optifast has no fiber in it and i had no reaction to the lactose. Since my surgery my lactose intolerance disappeared i have no problems since surgery.

Holy jumpin', northerngal, thank you so very much for adding your experience -I'd never considered (hoped for?) those specific possibilities for healing...
Isn't the human body an incredible piece of equipment? :)