Hello all,

I am new to the site but I have read some great stories and picked up a lot of good information. I congratulate everyone on their journies to better health. I do have a couple quick questions that I was wondering if anyone could help me out with. The first thing is I am currently on Optifast, drinking 3-4 shakes a day and drinking 1 8oz cup of low sodium chicken broth a day for 4 weeks until surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. I was wondering if my only option is Optifast? Everyone knows it is very expensive and hard to get a hold of, other than at a doctor's office and when I look at some other Protein shakes that will help lose weight and make sure your liver is cleaned out prior to surgery it seems like I can get a huge tub of powder for 14.99, does it matter?

Also, I would like some real life people feedback on what people who have actually had the surgery are having problems eating? I know what the doctors say but I'm just want some real world experience, because I honestly don't know anyone who has personally had the surgery done.

Thank you all. I love the weight loss tally's at the bottom of everyone's posts hopefully I can start doing that someday.

First I would double check with your doctor, but for me my doctor gave me a list of different Protein powders I could use. The big thing was it should be low in calories and high in protein. I did not have to do a pre-op diet, however after surgery I found it hard to drink the powdered shakes right away so I used a clear Protein Drink Isopure. you can get in a bottle 20oz, I believe aroud 140cal, and 40grams of protein. After a couple of days I went to a whey Protein Powder, I like the chocolate w/skim milk, It taste just like chocolate milk to me, has 20grams of protein, and with the skim milk 200cal, and only cost me $12. for the container. The thing is to find one you like because not all protein powders are alike. Best of luck!

I use s/f chocolate carnation instant breakfast in skim milk and add a scoop of vanilla creme muscle milk powder. It's about 250 calories and 30 grams of protein. It tastes like a chocolate malt. The muscle milk is about $16 for a 13 serving container although I found 2 containers in a clearance cart at Kroger for $4 each.

Hello and welcome!

Check with your doctor. It might matter, it might not.

Mine wanted me to do HMR until I said that I had Medifast food at home from a previous attempt. He said that was fine. At this point, you don't want to be going against what YOUR surgeon wants you doing. They have their own reasons for what they order. He might prefer Optifast, but if you ask he might say that compare nutrition and it really doesn't matter.

Check ebay also, you might be able to find some on the cheap. Just a thought.