Question:
I was told that i would have loose bowel movements on optifast

I am on day 8 of the optifast 900 pre op diet. I barely have any bowel movements but urinate like crazy. Is it normal to not have barely any bowel movements on the pre op diet?    — sassy1696 (posted on March 7, 2009)

March 7, 2009
People seem to either get really loose or really bound up with the liquid diets. There is not much fibre in Optifast (I am an experienced user, I promise) so you do need to take something like Metamucil or whatever natural laxative you choose with the shakes a couple of times a day. Also be aware that you won't have "big" BMs but you should be having them. Best of luck.
   — mountainmike

March 9, 2009
Louise, Hi... I was an Optifast and Medifast Coach/Consultant for years. It is much more common that people become constipated, usually, initially they may have some mild loose bowels, but many do not. You have to realize that you are getting very little fiber with Optifast. There are several things you can do if you think you are constipated, one is to add a fiber supplement (many just mix with water) but be sure and ask your doctor first. It is very normal to urinate excessively at this stage, that will slow down if you are on Optifast long enough. You have just added a lot of liquid that you probably were not drinking before so your body will need to get used to this change. Hang in there you are totally normal. Best wishes, Cathy
   — brindledanes

March 9, 2009
I don't know about loose stool with optifast presurgery. However, I will tell you that I had my open gastric bypass 7 years ago on March 11. I experienced loose stools almost immediately (or maybe like 2+ weeks)after my surgery. My advise is when you go out in public the first thing is to know where the restrooms are. And when you get the first thought of gas or any slight urge for a bowel movement you had best start immediately to the restroom. Also, I advise you to proceed very cautiously when you drink or eat sugar free stuff after surgery. Juices and foods have natural sugar in them. If that is a high level of natural sugar you could still experience dumping. You have to watch what they bring you in the hospital such as grape juice or orange juice those are very high in natural sugar. You should not try anything like that for an good period of time after the surgery then I suggest trying it at home first, just incase it does make you dump.
   — tslove