The Pre-Op Diet, Optifast

First topic message reminder :

Hi everyone
I thought that I'd start a thread on Optifast, so those who still have this to look forward to can get all the info before they start.
Personally, I haven't tried other brands, although I've heard that you can use any "complete meal replacement". My doc just said Optifast, so that's what I've stuck to.
The cheapest place I have found to buy it, and also the place with the biggest range to choose from, is www.pharmacydirect.com.au. The postage is only $5.95 flat rate, and they usually send out very quickly.
There are the inevitable shakes, in 3 flavours - chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. The strawberry is much more expensive, but tastes heaps better than the others.
They also have a dessert, which is a mousse-like consistency. I've only had the chocolate, which isn't too bad, but I think they also do a lemon.
Then there are the crunchy bars - if you've had those weight watchers bars, they're a little like that. Not too bad at all, and when I'm super hungry, I've actually found myself considering having another one! LOL I've only had the berry crunch bars, but they also come in cappuccino now.
Last, but not least, they have a "chocolate bar". Now don't get too excited, because they're not anything like a real chocolate bar. Yes, they are chocolate covered, as are the crunch bars, but inside it is a very chewy consistency. It has an unusual taste, but not all bad. It also has a bit of an aftertaste, but you can live with it.
I like the fact that there are several consistencies to choose from, because if I just had to have shakes all the time I'd go crazy - I love to eat things that crunch and chew.
I hope that this information is useful to those yet to embark on the Optifast stage.
Chris

hi all.

i have made 3 jellies, and when we stacked them we realised they looked like a traffic light..... red yellow and green.

i made soup too.
i got a bag of stir fry veg from woolies (marked down to $1) 3 sticks cellery, a huge carrot, a couple of onions, capsicum, tomatoes and ummm a 1/4 of a cabbage. added 2 cans chopped tomatoes and some water and chicken stock power.
cooked in my rice cooker (strange i know but as it only boils for the first 14 min then goes to "keep warm" is good for soups and boiled potatoes pumkin etc).
flicked it to cook 3 times, added tomato paste and them mixed well. ladled 3/4 cup of the veg mix into a stack of containers and topped up with the liquid... now have meals for every day till surgery!!!
the other one i have salad.
my protiem meal is 2 eggs...... I poach these and have 1 as salad dressing and the other just before bed.
is working for me!!!!

lol, yep they were cremated!

oh dear!
were they really badly burnt?
if they are a little burnt they're still yummy with tomato and balsamic vinegar

Well I cooked the onions & pulled them all apart. They burnt in the oven .....


I'm actually over the vegetables now, I am only having a few spoonfuls before pushing them away.

Tried the soup last night which was ok, I only tried a spoonful. I find it easier to skull the shake & get it over & done with before I can taste it.

yes let me know how you go!

Well we are just about to do some onions in the oven, I'll let you know what we think Mel.

I've never char grilled either, my friend did hers on the george foreman but they'd also be delicious on the bbq

Thank you so much Mel!

I have never char grilled, I am assuming you cant do this with an oven grill...

I will give the onions a try today.
I did buy Bickfords Diet Lemon Cordial so I might try that today.
Any other vegetable suggestions would be graciously welcomed lol!

Lisa

Hi LIsa
I'm 4.5 weeks post op and the opti is definitely sucky but worth it

things that saved me were

- cordial (diet)
- jelly (diet) and i don't even like jelly that much!

and my gorgeous friend char grilled with no oil, capsicum, zuccini, tomato and something else i can't remember and it saved my life !

i also went through onions like no tomorrow - i chopped them into quarters, pulled them apart and baked them til they were crunchy / burnt

i'd eat them like chips and also have them with chopped tomato and balsamic vinegar - gave it a bit of crunch

stick with it!
mel
oh ps, i would make up the choc opti cold and then zap it in microwave as i was desperate for a hot chocolate, not too bad

Hi Nat, you are a gem, thank you so much!

I cant have any fruit & the basic green vegetables. The only additive is stock cubes, soy sauce & worcestershire sauce.

I am really missing my cups of tea, I dont drink coffee, dont like the taste. I did try a weak black tea but didnt like that either.
I am drinking 2-3 litres of water, never ever had more than a few glasses in the past lol!

I bought the Benefibre today & added it to the shake tonight.

I keep reminding myself to take it meal by meal.

I do feel better now I have just been for a 30 minute walk.

Awww Lisa..

I remember being where you were just about 5 weeks ago.

Opti is not easy but it does get easier.

Are you allowed to have any fruit or extra flavours?

Some of my ideas were:

~ peppermint essence in the choc shakes
~ strawberry shakes on their own with ice- tasted like a strawberry milkshake after a while
~ vanilla with banana, cinnamon, etc.
~ i was allowed gravy on my vegies- just had to be low fat. The ones you do in the microwave were only 25 calories per serve and they seriously saved my life!

Good luck, be kind to yourself and just think of the end result.....

I did opti for 3 weeks and the surgeon said how large my liver was during the surgery- made his life interesting and the surgery a bit difficult. So im so glad i did the opti because if i didnt i hate to think how big the liver was without it. Maybe the surgery might not have been able to be done.

Good luck im here anytime you want to vent, cry, scream, etc.

Love and hugs Nat

Well I am just about finished Day 3
I have tried the strawberry, chocolate, berry bar & lemon dessert.
The only one I can drink is strawberry, I skull it or I dry retch lol!
I am over stir fried vegies, tonight I had sliced zucchini with garlic salt.
11 days to go...

Aaaaaargh, I cant stand coffee lol!
I reckon I'll have to start liking Pepsi Max & water *sigh*.......

Hi lisa1

ok sooooo um....
try this...... have coffee with a spash ( i measure out 40ml) and have equal

i was a coffee drinker....

1 cup milk in the micro, add coffeee and 3 equals.....
now i have tea....




with the spash of milk and equal
after a week i like tea!!!!!!!!!

I have just seen the dietician & start the Optifast tomorrow, I am so stressed about not having a cup of tea (white with 2 sugars) as I have at least 12 a day.
I have just sent hubby out to buy the strawberry, chocolate shakes & berry bars.
I'm excited as well as being nervous.

Hello All you Optifasters - I note that National Pharmacies in SA have Vanilla and Chocolate Optifast on special for $5.00 off - if you are a member that brings them down to about $40 a box. other wise $49.99
Cheers

Wizard pharmacy also have them on sale atm...

Chemist Warehouse had a sale on a few days ago on the coffee flavour, can't do that one myself.
The coffee bars were also on sale.

I started my shakes a few days ago and found it easier than i expected. My GP has prescribed me Duromine in the lead up to surgery so i think that is a big help. 3 days down, 11 to go

any one seen any sales on either optifastr or optislim..... misssed a huge special that ended on sunday and really need more shakes... have soups if anyone wants them like making hte coffee shakes up like coffee.

Does anyone else take AGES to eat/drink their opti? The bars generally take me a good hour to eat it all and the desert last night took me about 45! I think its more because of the taste and the texture but is it ok?

Zhan wrote:

Does anyone know if Optislim can be used in stead of Optifast. I only have my appt with the surgeon in a weeks time.

Optislim is about 20% or more cheaper than Optifast. I dont want to go overboard and buy anything if it is not supposed to be used.

Advise would help the new ones like me...

I estimate my op will only be done in October, 2nd week.

Txs guys n gals

I have a STACK of optisfast stuff you can try if you like? My surgeon gave me two weeks worth and I already had a months worth and im going in next monday so don't neeed it all!! let me know

yeah i would def check first
my dietician said i could do celeb slim / tony ferguson but only if i had a multi

i wanted to do the best i could so chose the opti

mel

hey

regarding dif diets i asked my dietician said was ok with a multi vitamin everyday but i would suggest ask your dietician cause all have diff ideas and they will be able to tell you if its ok

mel

Does anyone know if Optislim can be used in stead of Optifast. I only have my appt with the surgeon in a weeks time.

Optislim is about 20% or more cheaper than Optifast. I dont want to go overboard and buy anything if it is not supposed to be used.

Advise would help the new ones like me...

I estimate my op will only be done in October, 2nd week.

Txs guys n gals

Oh dear!!.....Silly me!! I should do that.....will stop at chemist on the way home from work.

thanks

oh definitely
i was told to have 2 tsp of benefibre for the 2 weeks that i'm on opt and then after