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HELP! Been told to stop Optifast by GP



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After some serious nosebleeds (up to 45mins long) and headaches so serve I can barely lift my head, my GP has told me to stop Optifast until blood tests come back/head scans AND he is able to speak to my surgeon (back next wednesday from overseas). I am so confused on what to do in the meantime... Do I stop? Or do i carry on despite the risks..

Has anyone else had these problems? I have 12kgs to lose before November 12th and can't risk not losing it.. So far I have lost 6kgs.

Also my mac has autocorrected optifast to optimist

Edited by whisper43

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No. Just him and the receptionist.

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I should also ask how long before the lab work is returned to your GP because your values maybe ok, and you might be able to continue. I don't know if I would continue until I at least know what those values are. Are you getting enough fluids in daily? How is your pulse rate? Do you suffer from any chronic medical conditions like diabetes or hypertension?

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I have no medical conditions... I drink minimum 2.5Ls a day its currently summer here so very very hot! My surgery date is Nov 12th... and it will take at least 1 week for the blood work

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I understand that you have lost 6kgs so far which means you have another 6kgs to go, or do you 12kgs to lose in total. Nov 12th is more than a month in the future. With the lab work being available in a week (for which I can't understand because if this is such an emergency, the results should have been rushed), you should still have enough time to lose the weight hopefully. Have considered calling your surgeon's office to see if they offer an alternative when Optifast is not tolerable?

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Is the weight loss a surgeon requirement or an insurance requirement. I'm just asking because I'm scheduled for surgery on the 26th and I only have to do a liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery. I wasn't given a specific amount of weight to lose.

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Its a surgery requirement. and yes only 6kgs to go... which i also felt i could do in a month.. the problem with small towns is that all the pathology gets shipped off. My Dr called them but was unable to say anything about me. (red tape i assume)

I have decided to not take Optifast for now. and will be having only Protein and vegetables at meal times no carbs (rice, Pasta etc), no dairy and no sugar.. even if i only lose 500g a week this way at least its a loss and not a gain

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You could still lose weight without Optifast.

tuna, chicken and high Fiber greens.

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Do what your GP says. Start eating a low carb, low cal, high Protein diet. You will continue to lose weight.

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