| Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! | |
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+16Firie75 lin1970 Isis shirleyb alaskybarney mum of four (bec) theresag z1gg1e79 tinyteddy steph11 amanda O'D PiercedMumma08 Janette yodacat Kate stelaine 20 posters |
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snowbunny Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 432 Age : 48 Location : Bunbury, WA Registration date : 2011-06-14
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Fri 30 Mar 2012, 12:36 pm | |
| Hey stelaine
Good to see another Mac Virgin on here. I have had my Macbook for a week, it took me a day to work out how to turn it off!!! lol
Opti Shakes does not mean a total liquid diet. You can eat unlimited 'free' veggies. Try Salads or a Vegie soup. I did not really like the Opti Soups, so I made my own soup out of veg from the fridge, curry powder, cumin and stock. I left it nice and chunky so I had something to 'chew'. I really liked the Chocolate bar too.
It is important to stick to the diet as set by the surgeon/dietician. You will love seeing the fast weight loss too. If you grow to like the shakes, it will help when you are on the post-op liquid only diet. After having clear soup and water you will love to have a shake - even if it is only a mouthful or too.
Good Luck
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melpaulned Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 1034 Age : 53 Location : Sutherland Shire Sydney Registration date : 2010-06-22
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Fri 30 Mar 2012, 5:15 am | |
| it does suck doesn't it
a few things i did that helped
1. baked onion til it was really well done (almost burnt) ate it by itself (like chips LOL) or put it in a salad with lots of tomato and balsamic vinegar 2. used salad as my 'meal' for dinner, and then made a chocolate opti up and microwaved it as a 'hot chocolate' - make sure you make it up first, dont add hot water, it makes it lumpy! 3. used salad as my meal for lunch and then had a protein bar about 2pm, really helped 4. went to bed early! 5. ticked the days down, more a mental thing but it made me feel better.
my poor friend was so desperate she chewed stuff up and spat it out!
good luck and PLEASE stick to it, it is SO WORTH IT | |
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Myselforsomeonelikeme Newbie
Number of posts : 139 Age : 38 Location : Adelaide Registration date : 2012-03-29
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Fri 30 Mar 2012, 4:55 am | |
| Has anyone been on it longer than 4 weeks? I get to do opti for 10.5 weeks! Yippee!! | |
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alice.r Newbie
Number of posts : 121 Location : sydney Registration date : 2011-08-28
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Fri 30 Mar 2012, 2:22 am | |
| hiya, i hated optifast, but i got through it motivated mostly by the fear that if i cheated i ran the risk of getting into theatre and the dr having to close me up without sleeving as my liver was too fatty. that and the fact i knew this was the last time i would ever be on such an extreme diet, its only a few weeks, you WILL get through it. | |
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lin1970 Top Poster
Number of posts : 3316 Age : 53 Location : SA Registration date : 2011-11-18
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Thu 29 Mar 2012, 11:33 am | |
| i will have to do optifast for 4 wks prior to surgery. I have tried some flavours and also some Kicstart. I like the kicstart as they are thicker. the banana is too sweet but strawberry not bad and you can buy them separately to try.
next appt I will take all the nutrition info to dr and see if I can use kicstart. Kicstart is an aussie one too, they did research via hospital in adelaide
cheers | |
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Firie75 Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 623 Location : NSW Registration date : 2011-10-01
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Wed 28 Mar 2012, 11:56 pm | |
| I used Optislim for the majority of my pre op phase. Its essentially the same and also VLCD. It was also on the recommended Optifast substitute list and was much, much cheaper than Optifast. I had to buy a box of Optifast towards the end as I ran out of Optislim and had no time to travel to where I could buy the Optislim and could only get Optifast locally. I must say the Optislim tastes waaaaay better than the Optifast.
Like most people have said its the first three or so days that are the hardest, then it becomes easy, Make the most of the vege's and drink lots of water. It will feel like forever sometimes, but before you know it, you will be post op with your sleeve.
best of luck! | |
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lin1970 Top Poster
Number of posts : 3316 Age : 53 Location : SA Registration date : 2011-11-18
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Wed 28 Mar 2012, 10:28 pm | |
| the choc and lemon desserts aren't bad, cant eat too much of it but it feels like having abit of 'dessert' | |
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theresag Newbie
Number of posts : 70 Location : Central Coast Registration date : 2011-09-06
| Subject: General Chat :: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Wed 28 Mar 2012, 9:30 pm | |
| Hi Stelaine,I'm on Tony ferguson too. Have you tried the soups? The chicken and vegetable isn't too bad. | |
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stelaine Newbie
Number of posts : 29 Location : Cairns Private Registration date : 2012-03-03
| Subject: Thank you Thank you thank you everyone!! Wed 28 Mar 2012, 2:52 pm | |
| Sorry I haven't responded earlier, I have been suffering death by Opti.........Eeeeeewwwwww, yuk yuk yuk........throw it away! My surgery is booked for the 12th April, when I saw my Dr he said I had to start 3 weeks prior to my surgery, I saw the dietitian on Tuesday 27th March, when I went in she started off with, your Drs referral says he wants you to start Opti 2 weeks, YES thats TWO weeks prior to surgery!!!! However, I was only able to do the Opti for 3 days it made me very unwell, vomiting and diarrhea, I was really upset as I thought I am not going to be able to have the surgery. The dietician did say there is 5% of ppl that can't take the Opti............she suggested I try a different brand, I am now on Terry white pharmacy shakes and am tolerating......so Yay!!!!! I will get there!!!! Just need to say again - this is the best site!! Two weeks to go, but who's counting. | |
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Isis Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 548 Age : 40 Location : New Zealand Registration date : 2010-10-28
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Thu 22 Mar 2012, 5:30 am | |
| Yup, make the most of your allowed veges and I found that adding herbs and garlic to everything really made me feel like I was eating a proper meal. I had a shake in the morning and used opti bars for lunch and dinner. Make sure you use variety in your veges, i.e. don't just make soup, but use stir fries, bakes, salads and unusual vegetables that you wouldn't necessarily normally buy...
I suffered a lot with fainting, dizziness and hunger over the first 5 days, but I didn't cheat once and came out the other side the better for it.
The opti phase will be a distant memory soon enough, just think how much you want the surgery and that will help you avoid any temptation. | |
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shirleyb Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 241 Age : 65 Location : Wagga NSW Registration date : 2011-04-02
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Thu 22 Mar 2012, 4:13 am | |
| Hi
I did write a big long blog on this one, earlier in the day, but somehow it has gone off into cyber space!
I agree with everyone on this, it is only short term pain for long term gain. Everyone doesn't like the Opti stage, but it will go quickly.
I loved the diet jellys they saved me, and I made stir frys at night, I loved the crunch. I also used to fry mushrooms in canola spray, and really enjoyed those.
I loved the carmel opti bar, I thought it tasted like Mars bar, kinda. Please remember to drink, drink & drink your water.
All the best
Shirley | |
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alaskybarney Newbie
Number of posts : 58 Age : 43 Location : Perth Registration date : 2011-08-26
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Thu 22 Mar 2012, 4:11 am | |
| I luckily only had to do opti for 2 weeks and this was like a mini hell for me. (My husband was the only thing that got me through when I look back, he was very patient and supportive and only had things I didn't like for those two weeks for his meals so I wasn't tempted).
I actually ended up having a strawberry shake for breakfast, half of the allocated chocolate mousse for lunch followed with diet jelly, and then vegies (per the rules) with a diet jelly for dinner. Its not a lot going in but due to how bad I found the opti my body decided it was never hungry and I chose to eat almost nothing rather than have to have the opti (and I tried everything from the options). The positive, I dropped a dress size before the op and my liver was in perfect condition.
Because it was only for two weeks it wasn't an issue that I wasn't having the required quota but this could be different with you having 3 weeks worth and also what your doctor/dietician says (I checked with mine as I was concerned this could backfire for the surgery).
Good luck and always remember if your tempted to put anything not allowed into your mouth, imagine the feeling of waking up and being told the surgery couldn't go ahead - that was enough to make me put anything down that I wasnted over this period.
Alaskybarney | |
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mum of four (bec) Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 333 Age : 51 Location : mornington peninsula, melbourne Registration date : 2011-04-23
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Thu 22 Mar 2012, 3:20 am | |
| I'm probably just repeating what has been said but here's my input anyway- Opti shakes with cold water and ice, the coffee and strawberry are the best (it's not a coincidence they are more expensive!) Make soup, stir frys and veggie bakes with the allowable veggies, lots of choice. The Opti desserts are ok and I was allowed a piece of fruit. So the Choc pudding with strawberries or tinned pears is really nice. Diet jelly is great too and adds to your fluid intake. I was on Opti for 6 weeks and only twice mucked up, one one occasion I had prawns on the other occasion I had chicken with my allowed salad. I'm sure I managed because I used the allowed veggies to the max!
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theresag Newbie
Number of posts : 70 Location : Central Coast Registration date : 2011-09-06
| Subject: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Thu 22 Mar 2012, 3:10 am | |
| Tiny Teddy please send me recipes too... I'm dying here and its day 4!! I never realised I was such a foodie. Before this I always used to say Ï don't eat that much... liar! I just graze all day. | |
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z1gg1e79 Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 379 Age : 45 Location : Brisbane Registration date : 2011-11-05
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Thu 22 Mar 2012, 2:02 am | |
| Hi,
Some of the flavours I don't mind, some are not so flash.
All I tend to do, is have a talk with myself. Telling myself that, "this is what I need to do and only for a short time. It is giving me the best start to my new life."
If I don't like the flavour I just skull it.
I have not been tempted, but lucky hubby is on night shift, so no eating in front of me. Also, meant to go to 2 footy events this week, but with the temptation of wine and other nasty foods. I am staying well away and being unsocialable. I have been so strong!
You can do it! If you do slip up try again next meal! | |
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tinyteddy Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 261 Age : 54 Location : Perth Registration date : 2012-01-30
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Thu 22 Mar 2012, 12:19 am | |
| Hey there
ditto to all the advice below - the only other tips I can add is to mix your shakes with ice cold water and maybe add 4 or so icecubes in the blender. Being ice cold is much easier to drink and tastes a million times better. If you're having the soup, dont add hot water, it will curdle, mix it in room temp water and heat in the microwave.
I also have some great pre op diet recipes for use with vegies if you would like. PM me if you want me to send any to you.
We all did it (ok maybe with a little cheat or two) - so can you :) | |
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steph11 Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 436 Age : 47 Registration date : 2011-09-09
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Thu 22 Mar 2012, 12:14 am | |
| I agree with Amanda, I did four weeks of only opti, yes three times a day pre op! It is doable. You just need to focus on the facts, this is a really small time in your life, this is really necessary if your surgeon requested it to do his job well, and really it does help to start this weight loss journey off. I lost nine kgs before surgery on opti and I tell you it's a great start and easier to lose then than after sleeving some weeks. Just get on with it, drink up, lots of ice in the shakes to keep them really cold and remember life after sleeving seems to be about discipline so it's good to start now! Take care and best wishes for your successful surgery! Lots of love Steph | |
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amanda O'D Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 901 Age : 61 Location : Adelaide Registration date : 2010-11-13
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Wed 21 Mar 2012, 11:52 pm | |
| Opti and I shared a love hate relationship, for close to seven weeks, and yes it is possible to survive to tell the tale.
The most important thing you can do is make the most of what you can have, use your veggies to their best advantage, the way i use to do it was like this.
Breakfast Optishake Morning tea 1/2 an opti bar Lunch bowl of homemade cauliflower and leek soup (so easy to make and tastes yum) Afternoon tea the other half of the opti bar Dinner stirfry veggies, or roasted onion, parsnip, carrot with a huge pile of steamed greens Supper Diet jelly.
The thought of having to face Opti is much worse then the doing of it, and just keep telling your self it is worth it, keep your goal of having a lovely thin liver in your mind, and you will be fine :)
smiles Mandy | |
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Guest Guest
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Wed 21 Mar 2012, 8:22 pm | |
| I absolutely agree with everything said below.
The first 3 days are worst for your hunger. If you can get through those cold with no cheating with carbs you will find you are a bit more ambivilant to food however....
If you get yourself into a bind and are about to shred the pantry doors ( and most of us have been there)... if your craving is for savoury foods... go stick a spoon into vege mite and lick it. Of course you could have some stock soup but I found that licking vegemite more satisfying.
If you craving is for sweet stuff reach for your jelly. Now here is the key ...make your jelly tougher because it will stay in your belly longer. I make up 2 packets of diet jelly to 3 cups of water...it should be 4 but I make 3 ... it gives it more flavour and its a tougher more tummy resilliant jelly with out being rubber.
I find saving half my lunch bar for after dinner with a cup of coffee a God send. I pile up on my veg in either soup or salad style at lunch, eat half a bar and some jelly and I am good to go.
That half bar after tea substitues for my bickie and cuppa or sweets I used to have.
At the end of the day you have to trick your head into thinking your eating more than you are.
Oh and as it has been said before ....water water water! |
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PiercedMumma08 Top Poster
Number of posts : 1702 Age : 45 Location : Australia Registration date : 2010-04-05
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Wed 21 Mar 2012, 7:53 pm | |
| Hi there
I was required to do 3 weeks of opti also before my surgery. The first few days are the more difficult.
I also panicked about how I would get through Opti. If you want to read a panicky person's pre op diet, read mine!
But, it gets easier. Make sure you use all of your allowances as the other guys have said, and drink drink drink. I was allowed some diet coke and found that this helped to keep me full (even though its only gas really) and the water also helped.
Make sure you have a good support system around you- you will need to keep your mind active and busy to keep you distracted from food.
Be adventurous with your allowances- stir fry, etc. We even made vege pizzas out of eggplant slices, capsicum, onion and garlic.
You can do it.
What kept me on track was that nothing I did was going to ruin the chances of the surgery for me. The only thing that was going to stop me from having the surgery was if the surgeon said I couldnt do it because......... but= it wasnt going to be because my liver was in the way.
I hope this has been helpful. Make sure you come on here and vent all you like.
Best wishes, you can do it!
Nat | |
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Janette Top Poster
Number of posts : 4341 Age : 70 Location : Gundagai, NSW Registration date : 2009-09-13
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Wed 21 Mar 2012, 7:18 pm | |
| Agree with what has been said below. I wanted this surgery so badly there was no way I was cheating, I followed my surgeons guidelines to the letter. Its only 3 short weeks of the rest of your life, you can do it! I only had 1 shake a day and had Optifast bars for lunch and dinner, along with all the other allowables, vegies, etc. Keep with bars in the fridge, they are better cold. Wishing you all the best. | |
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yodacat Newbie
Number of posts : 87 Age : 61 Location : Perth Registration date : 2011-07-27
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Wed 21 Mar 2012, 2:21 pm | |
| Hi Alaine
Ditto to what Kate said. Focus on why you are having this and the need to rethink food. The three weeks should pass quickly.
I put myself on a self-imposed partial opti type diet a couple of weeks before I needed to, to ease myself into it. I guess you wont have that chance now though. However, dont forget that you (should) be able to have some vegetables and this will break up the opti. My dietician was also fine with me having low cal jelly, so that sorted my sweet tooth. You should check with the Doc on this though as each Doc appears to have different requirements.
I found that having the occasonal opti/KicStart bars or desserts broke up the monotony of shakes, so they were good to have for a change. I preferred the flavour of KicStart to Optifast but each to their own. KicStart is VLCD and was ok with my Doc/dietician.
The KicStart/opti have also been a bit of a lifesaver in the 3 months post sleeve for me. If I ever feel like I am not getting adequate protein or vits, and cant face the thought of food (my appetite has reduced considerably so I need to remind myself to eat occasionally) I will often include a shake in my day.
all the best | |
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Kate Top Poster
Number of posts : 2162 Age : 57 Location : Leeton NSW Registration date : 2011-06-23
| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Wed 21 Mar 2012, 1:41 pm | |
| Hi Stelaine, I guess the thing that kept me on the straight and narrow for optifast was the fact that I really, really wanted this surgery. There was no way I was leaving that hospital without having my sleeve done. I didn't cheat one single little bit and became very focused. Think of the big picture and how great you will feel when the weight starts to come off and you will never have to do optifast again. Good luck on sticking with it.
Kate | |
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stelaine Newbie
Number of posts : 29 Location : Cairns Private Registration date : 2012-03-03
| Subject: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! Wed 21 Mar 2012, 1:12 pm | |
| Hello, I have recently joined up and posted in Introductions! My surgery is 12 April 2012 with Dr Woolven in Cairns. My Dr has advised me that I have to start on the Optifast shakes 3 weeks, I think at the moment I am more nervous about failing the shakes than the surgery! I know I have a fatty liver and that for the operation to be less risky I need to shrink my liver.
I am really struggling with the no food thing.........I guess I have realised how psychologically attached I am to food. I am really finding the site a help, just to see other peoples success stories is very motivating, so......................any tips will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Alaine
PS My profile will get more exciting as I learn how to use my Mac! | |
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| Subject: Re: Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! | |
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| Any tips with staying on track with Optifast!! | |
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