18 solid days of optifast

I now have 18 days to stick to the Optifast 4 times per day after a terrible shortcoming (cheat).  Do you think this is enough time to shrink my liver?  I pray so ... So disappointed in myself.  

The diet is to shrink the liver.  If they open you up and your liver is to large to safely operate, then they will close you up without doing surgery.  Usually they will reschedule your surgery and let you do the Optifast again.

I was told to take one or two Metamucil pill with each shake. It seems counterintuitive for diarrhea but it really help me with mine. I asked why it worked for diarrhea and was told that fibre can also help  "bulk up" loose stool.   I had my surgery on the 24th of June and the Optifast was the hardest part so far.  You can do this. 

Thank you for the info ... I was taking 5 Metamucil as per the bottle.  But I might try just 2.  How long were you on the Optifast!!!

I was three weeks.  I had my surgery on Ottawa.  I went through the BMI clinic with Dr Freedhoff.  They told me everybody is either constipated or has diarrhea. I took one every time I had a shake. I used a shaker bottle to mix them.  That helped with the smell.  It was one of the hardest things I have ever done.  I think I understand better what quitting smoking must be like.  The first four days are hardest. When I wanted to cheat I took a walk. It helped take my mind off it. 

I feel your pain!  I am heading into week 2 of three of optifast and it's definitely a rough go!   For me the sugar free syrups do nothing to flavour them... So I use extracts and mio to flavour mine.   I also use big slushy or bubble tea straws to drink them so that my nose isn't right at the opening of the cup.   

I use one shaker for mixing and then pour my flavoured mix into a different bottle or cup with more ice!   The first 5 days were the hardest with headaches and exhaustion and adjusting to flavours.   But this week they are just what I have to do!  

Don't give up.... Get some new extracts (coconut,  almond and caramel are amazing)  and keep mixing till you find your perfect combo!   You CAN  do this! 

Extracts are a good idea. The sugar free syrups just made things way too sweet for me. ( That was with different shakes after my surgery. I was a total weirdo and actually really liked the Opti as is... haha. ) 

You should mention the loose stools to your surgeon if you haven't. He or she may give you the okay for another brand. I can't guarantee that, of course, but I'd definitely tell them what's going on. I don't remember having diarrhea with Optifast, so maybe something in it is just not agreeing with you.  (  Because I'm hyper-honest, I'd mention the cheating too.  )

You'll be fine!  Honestly, once my surgery got confirmed, I had FOUR days to do protein shakes, and 1 meal per day until surgery---and the meal was small,  and mainly protein.  My doc said everything looked fine for surgery once in there.  I did not do Optifast...never heard of it.

Susan C

Many people only do the liquid diet for 14 days and some less. How long did your Dr want you on optifast? Occasionally you will even hear of people who didn't do a liver shrink diet at all ( not recommending that). Those things said stick to your diet to the letter till surgery. Don't beat yourself up. It is hard but you can do it. The end result of an easier and successful surgery may be the best reward you ever give yourself in life.

Lots of us to encourage you. Stay in touch and let us know how it is going.

Myself I found making my protein drinks with lots of ice and sipping them slowly helped a great deal. Far more so than just drinking them down in a short space of time.

Good luck.