Question:
Has anyone else been on a pre-op liquid diet (optifast)?

   — Katherine R. (posted on April 19, 2001)

April 19, 2001
Yes I was a few years ago. Like all others it works for awhile and then--------. It's very expensive it's cruel. It's un healthy of course my opinion. Is there anything else I can do to HELP.Ha Ha
   — Michael H.

April 19, 2001
ME! As soon as I started eating- back the 80 pounds cmae and then some!
   — M B.

April 19, 2001
Yes, I lost 75# in 12 weeks and I think I gained it all back in 10 minutes! I had to have my gall bladder removed, so the only thing I REALLY lost was my gall bladder and the $3000. it cost for the program..
   — Carolyn G.

April 19, 2001
My doctor requires a liquid diet right before surgery of either optifast or Carnation Instant Breakfast. The reasoning is that the liver builds up fat and in an obese person can be enlarged due to it holding a large amount of fat. However, it is also the first place fat is used from. Having the liver as "small" as possible makes the surgery easier as with open surgery the liver is "folded" out of the way and in lap surgery they have to go behind the liver.Anyway, this was the reason I heard at a recent support group meeting. I am currently on Carnation Instant Breakfast, sugarfree of course, in anticipation of my surgery on April 27. It really isn't that bad and I lost 13 pounds in 5 days.
   — cheryl R.

April 19, 2001
Hi ! I work for McLaren and know that that is one of the requirements of the McLaren bariatric program. I attended their last support group meeting (even though I had my surgery at a different place) and we were talking about the Optifast. I had done the Optifast program (3 times!!)so I was familiar with it. The Optifast contains a lot of vitamins and a well balanced 800 calorie diet. Part of the idea, which was discussed at the meeting, was to get the patient onto a new diet regimen so that the liquid phase after surgery was not as great of a shock to the body. It is to get the patient on a downward trend and to get some good weight loss prior to the procedure, thereby making surgery easier on the patient. I hope to see you at one of the support group meetings there some time ! Good luck with your surgery.. any questions, please email me! Diane C.
   — Diane C.

April 19, 2001
I lost 100 lbs. on the Optifast program several years ago. It's a very effective and expensive "quick-fix", but does not teach good nutritional habits for long-term success. The program went out of business shortly after my involvement and has never re-surfaced in my part of our state. I feel that this was due to the overwhelming failure of program participants to be able to maintain their weight loss after completion of the program.
   — Diana T.

April 19, 2001
Hi Katherine: This is a good question because I need to start medifast on April 30 for two weeks prior to my surgery on May 15th. Does anyone know how much can be lost in two weeks? My doctor also explained to me that it would be easier to work around the liver. Lorraine
   — Lorraine L.