OptiFast - Please share your story, cause I am nervous!

Starting my 3 weeks of OptiFast today. From the beginning of this journey I have been nervous of this part the most. You would think I would be nervous about the procedure, after, NOOOOO it's the OPTIFAST!!!

A strange calm came over me last night and I said to my Hubby "I think I am ok hun, now that it is here I know I got this and can do it". This morning came and I had my 1st shake and I thought "ok the taste is not bad, it is rich and very thick and I CAN DO THIS!"

There is a little worm in the back of my mind that keeps popping up and saying "oh yeah" and BOOM the Anxiety is back! I know this is not supposed to be easy and who knows maybe it is all in my mind.

How did you deal with Optifast?

Hi, it's great that you like Opti from day 1! I was on it for 3 weeks too, and my day 1 was awful; I was in Toronto, staying with friends, watching them eat loads of yummy foods, healthy and junk alike, and we didn't have any bottled water or ice so my first taste was made with Toronto tap water (ew!), and it was barely cold. It was horrible, and I almost cried at the thought of having to endure that taste for 3 weeks.

Thankfully the next day I had ice cold bottled water plus ice cubes, mixed it up in a shaker bottle, and it wasn't bad.

Over time I grew to love the stuff.

I made sure to space my opti out every 4 hours or I'd get hungry. I made sure to have all 4 packs per day to ensure I was getting all of the vitamins and minerals needed. I drank lots of herbal tea for the first week, but wasn't allowed any herbal teas or vitamins for weeks 2-3, so switched to hot lemon water (it was winter and I was cold all the time from the shakes). I was allowed clear broth and 1 cup of green veggies per day, so I roasted my veggies in the oven (celery, broccoli, and green peppers were allowed).

I lost 23 Lbs in 3 weeks and was thrilled with the results. My surgeon was pleased too, and said my liver looked great and he was able to do the surgery in half the time he had expected it to take.

Every single time I had cravings while on opti, it meant it was time for my next opti. My brain was just sending me the wrong messages to prompt me to take some nutrients in, lol.

I read a lot, played computer games, watched Netflix while crocheting, anything to distract myself from food.

I also visualised myself healthier, thinner, more active, and imagined getting to shop in regular stores instead of plus size stores daily. All of the things I visualised have now come true :-).

Good luck; you've got this!

OH Kathy!!!

Thank you so much. Hearing from someone who has been through this is sooooo helpful.

Oh gawsh I cannot imagine no cold water for mixing.... i think that is what made it ok for me. Thankfully you got bottled water and ice the next day.

I forgot I can cook the veggies. My allowed Veggies (2 cups - leuttice, green pepper, broccoli, cucumber and celery) just got a lot yummier and less daunting.

I am taking your advise and going to listen to my body.

I am trying to occupy my time with as much work as possible.

Thanks again so much!

You're so welcome. I tried lots of different spices on the veggies, but my favorite was a steak spice that tasted like bacon, but had zero calories, lol.

I did Opti in January in Canada and was so cold all the time. The hot broth and roasted veggies helped. I also stir fried them using a bit of the broth as a base (no oil or anything), and it came out good too, but I liked the taste of the roasted veggies best.

Are you allowed to make your own chicken broth? I was, so long as I let it get cold first so I could skim ALL of the fat off, then reheat it, and it was so yummy, but my dog and parents had to eat the actual chicken and carrots (I was allowed the celery, lol). My dog was thrilled.

Thanks for the tip last might was broth and veg spiced with lemon. All they have allowed me is lemon and vinegar. This Trini Girl who loves her spice is pretending that is has yummy spice for now. I am grilling the veg tonight and having them with leutice. Your 4 Hr tip really helped. I went to bed full last night and was able to approach the day to day with positivity.

LOL.... lucky puppy!

Thanks Again so much.

I didn't have to do OptiFast, but I had a two week liquid diet. I did a variety of protein shakes and the first 3 days SUCKED. I had a headache, I felt low energy, I mourned food, I wanted to CHEW. But after the first few days of carb withdrawal, I felt better, and I had a serious resolve to NOT cheat on my pre-op diet, so my liver would be small and out of the way and my weight would be lower for a safer surgical procedure. And my RNY went off without a hitch. It took about 1.5 hours, I came out of anesthesia fine, I had no gas pains, and I could easily walk down the hall and back. This is the start of a whole new life, so as much as the next 3 weeks will suck in some ways (no chewing, tired of sweet things, treats in the kitchen at work, etc) just think about all of the incredible days ahead of you! Check out the post lower on the page where the poster asked people to share their victories - there are some really motivating answers. Little things like wrapping a normal sized towel around your body, having the energy to walk miles and miles and miles, fitting into a small booth, having extra space in the airplane seatbelt, and just generally fitting in the world well. You can do this!

Hi DC,

Yes you are right I was just reading that post and OMG so full of inspiration. After all what is 3 weeks out of my life eh. I can get thought day 1, 2, 3....21 especially if it will take me to being able to walk onto an aircraft and not have to watch people pray that the "fat girl" is not going to sit next to them!!

Thank you so much. I CAN DO THIS!!!

I didn't have Opti, but was on a 2 week liquid diet with Bariatric Advantage protein drinks. I shall we say tolerated the drinks. At least they didn't make me sick, but I would never buy them as a choice for protein drinks. I didn't really feel hungry - was allowed broth, sf jello, popsicles, etc. to that kept me full. The first two days were the worst for me - terrible headache, but after that it went pretty smoothly. It is so worth it! Hang in their and you'll be on the loser's bench before you know it.

Thanks PR31. I can't wait to be on the loosers bench with you guys... I guess I am already there cause I have made a lot of changes this year and have already lost 48 lbs.

The headaches are the worst but I know this too shall pass.

Thanks for sharing.

It's TEMPORARY...You ABSOLUTELY can do this!!!!! Someday it will be just a faint memory, and you will be paying it forward, to others, saying the VERY same thing :)

Hang in there---YOU are worth it