I am on my second day of Optifast...I have three weeks...surgery is on August 7/07. Being from Jamaican heritage love my food! I find it very hard as I still have to cook for my husband but am struggling not to taste. I know I have to look at the bigger picture but I am soooo hungry. The taste of Optifast is not as bad as I thought it would be.....trying to find different ways to combat it... I ordered both chocolate and vanilla (not a chocolate fan but am liking it better with the vanilla)...and have them with a lot of ICE! I mix it with vanilla and mixed essence to make the taste better....I am praying that I get through these three weeks! Pray for me y'all! lol....

Hi so why do some people have to do two weeks and other three??? when is your surgery? mine is on aug 1 today is my first day on optifast its going pretty good but supper is coming up.

Good Luck to both of you.

I had to do four weeks of opti-fast so I know what you are going through. The crystal light flavours do wonders for the vanilla. I liked the tangerine and grapefruit for breakfast. It also helped to add fruit and benefibre to the magic bullet mixer. The vegies are the only solid food you get to eat so they are very important to add variety to your diet. Salad is only good for a short time, you can eat raw peppers and tomatoes, you can also stir fry in chicken broth. The spritzers from Hellmans give you a good low cal choice variety.

The reason for the different amount of time on opti is because of the ammount of weight the doctor would like you to lose before the surgery. The less fat around the liver the easier for him during surgery and for you post-op. I lost 49 lbs. on opti, so it is safe to say this will probably be your best period of weight loss, it was for me.

Hi

I've been on optifast for 1 week 2 more weeks until surgery. I do feel hungry too. Night time is the worst--so I'm saving a shake for later at night. Does anyone else feel low energy and more tired than usual?

Yeah I felt drained today! I had a headache all day. I am on my second day of Optifast. I am taking advantage of the veggies though. I will definitely try the stir fry. I would be nice to eat something hot.

Sweet For Life, I am also in on the 7th with Dr. Coubourn. I also have three weeks of Opti! I like the chocolate or vanilla mixed with a couple tablespoons of instant coffee and lots of ice.

I am also diabetic and have not taken my meds for two days as my sugars are at optimum control.

I am just afraid they might drop too much!

I gues the higher your BMI is...is the longer you must stay on Optifast. I do feel drained as well BUT that would be from the reduction in calories. I remembered being on Dr. Bernstien (aahhhhh)...I was the worst to get used to. I have to make to sure to take my vitamins and potassium...that seemed to work. I made veggie soup last night and had pickles (I hope I am aloud to have them). I always unconciously wake up in the middle of the night munching on something...so I munched on a pickle!!! Well I also jumped on the sale and saw an unreal drop of 12 lbs..It has to be pee! lol. Take care y'all.

The one thing that kept me going during my 3 weeks of Optifast was thinking about my safety and knowing that if I follwed the diet that I would be better for it by the shrinking of my liver.

Also, knowing that you can make through the Optifast is a real confidence boost going in to the surgery.

All you pre-op folks just remember that all the food you love will be there once you are done your pre-op and you will be able to have most of them, just in smaller amounts after you are all healed up. It is not good buy forever, more like see you later.

Also, pickles were a savior for me on the pre-op diet. The crunch and the saltyness really helped with those cravings.

Andrew

Pickles sound good. I am going to buy some tomorrow!

Day three of Opti was a bit better. No headaches but i was really hungry.

I had a shake around 11AM, a BIG salad at 3, another shake at 6, some stirfried veggies ( cooked with just a bit of Water and a couple tablespoons of soy sauce) and my last shake at around 10PM.

I know it seems like a lot to go through in the day...but I am starving!!

Any suggestions?

Pickles sound good. I am going to buy some tomorrow!

Day three of Opti was a bit better. No headaches but i was really hungry.

I had a shake around 11AM, a BIG salad at 3, another shake at 6, some stirfried veggies ( cooked with just a bit of Water and a couple tablespoons of soy sauce) and my last shake at around 10PM.

I know it seems like a lot to go through in the day...but I am starving!!

Any suggestions?

It should get better soon as you begin to get into ketosis. Just remember that this is temporary hunger, and after you are banded & adjusted properly you wont have to live with it again.

Also remember that this is a diet that is designed so that you can make it through surgery safely by shrinking that liver.

Andrew