:help: Well today is day 5 of my pre-op with Optifast. Mostly I am doing fine I think, the hunger I feel is not horrible but last night for the first time my stomach was growling and I was hungry. I am trying not to over do the vegetables, I have a couple of pickles usually in the afternoon. I have put a few strawberries in my optifast and last night I put in some raspberries, but I am concerned about being in ketosis... How do I know if I am or not?

Any of you optifasters feel hungry after four or so days of starting? What kind of protions did you eat of the allowed vegetables?

Actually, I was hungry all the way through the two weeks. I know some people aren't after 3 days or so but it wasn't the case for me.

I spaced out the veg's. Usually had 6 asparagus tips with lemon juice mid morning. Had some celery at noon. Maybe some cabbage and mushrooms sauteed in Water at supper and then pickles at night. Mixed it up abit depending on what I felt like each day. The paperwork from Dr. C's clinic said one serving max 225 calories but with the types of veg's I could eat, they were a far cry from 225 calories. I called the nurse and clarified if I could in fact break up the servings into 4 or 5 times a day and she said it was fine as long as I didn't exceed 225 calories of veg's in a day. I felt better eating smaller Snacks of veg's in between the Optifast. Anyway... worked well for me.

I think you're doing great so far Leslie Lee. Keep in mind, the pre-op is the hardest part. Post-op feels like gourmet eating, the Soup really hits the spot! You'll be there before you know it!

I was only occasionally hungry during this phase. I have to admit, I never thought that I could have eaten pickles because of all the salt and additives... I wish I HAD thought of it!!!

Just some advice... don't go overboard on the veggies early... I got so sick of them after the first week and a half that I could not stomach them for the rest of the Optifast phase (3 weeks). I hope this does not happen to you!!!!

Don't worry about ketosis, it is when you are in this state that you are not hungry any longer (I was actually looking forward to ketosis). Wikipedia defines it as "A stage in metabolism occurring when the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies which can be used by the body for energy."