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

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

Yeah, at first I was the opposite as well but now, ummmmmm not good. A support group I meet up with who are banders and sleevers drink benefibre, maybe I should.

i was quite the opposite for the first few days but day 10 hmmm i think i could be verging on it

off to have some more water!

Ok I know this may be grosse but I need to ask? Anyone else constipated while on Opti???

Im allowed to have any 2 pieces of fruit (including my favourite- bananas) while on opti.

So I made an opti smoothie- vanilla shake, ice cubes, banana and some cinnamon.

It wasnt what I was expecting (i mean its still opti) but jees it wasnt too bad....

Hi Carrie
Thanks - that sounds like a great idea - will try it tonight.
Thanks

Hi Sassy,

I added lots of steamed veges and dry fried mushrooms to the soup which improved it a lot...

Good luck - Carrie

Hi Janette
Wish I hadn't tried the soup either - but I have a box full of the stuff and I'll finish it off - may take a while but I will. I read somewhere that if you put Cayenne pepper in it its not so bad - tried that and yes, it does improve it a bit.
Have changed my weigh in day to Mondays as I started on the Optifast on the Monday - am so pleased to say that I am now 6kg less that I was last Monday. Chuffed would be the word.

Hi Sassy, I never had a problem with Opti either.....didn't try the soup, was advised against it

Hello everyone
I am surprised to find that Optifast is not a prob for me - in fact, apart from the soup, its quite palatable - love the coffee shake. Bit more expensive but hey, you gotta do what ya gotta do. Have lost 5.3kg already - realise first week gives better results but I find that loss somewhat fantastic.
Cheers

awesome awesome! i shall wonder around tomorrow!
I got mine from the wizard pharmacy in belmont

I just checked there is a Guardian Pharmacy in Cloverdale.......aren't the prices the same at all of them? Unfortunately the web site didn't have a list of products
377a Belgravia Street
CLOVERDALE
WA 6105

kim wrote:

Our local Chemist Guardian, is very cheap with optifast prices the bars are 17.49 and coffee shakes 19.49, I cant remember how much the large box of vanilla was but cheaper than the on-line pharmacy's
and the chicken soup is horrid even when its filled with chilli, repeats on me for hours but I payed all that money for the box so I'm gunna drink it!!!

ooohhhh which guardian? I payed lke $25 for my bars and those are the ones i like the best!!

Our local Chemist Guardian, is very cheap with optifast prices the bars are 17.49 and coffee shakes 19.49, I cant remember how much the large box of vanilla was but cheaper than the on-line pharmacy's
and the chicken soup is horrid even when its filled with chilli, repeats on me for hours but I payed all that money for the box so I'm gunna drink it!!!

Our local chemist which is Guardian is really cheap prices for Opti fast ....the bars are $17.49, coffee shake 19.49. Cheaper than on line pharmacys

It's funny, I'm on Day 3 and just not hungry at all. Struggling to even have the 3 shakes a day. The Optislim Cafe Latte flavour is feral... ugh. Might stick to the TF shakes and optislim berry crunch bars!

I am back to trying to be an optifast angel. I'm a bridesmaid on Friday night so it's going to be tough!

flightlessbird1985,
don't stress, if we didn't do stuff like this, we would not need sleeving!!
have a glass or two for me someone... liver is stuffed so no more whine...... i mean wine.....


off OPTIYUCK!!!!
as i am changing sugreons, the new one does not need more than 2 weeks opti!!!

Sorry to hear about your breakup but think how you can rub your fabulous new healthy body in his face in 12 months time. Get back on the bandwagon, it's soooo worth it.

Hi Penelope,

I'm sorry to hear about your break up. You're right, it is cr@p timing.

Yes, the wine & chips were naughty, but it's done now. So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and be a perfect little Opti angel for your last week. It's going to be hard, but it is so worth it. Don't let this one week ruin this opportunity for you.

Come on here as often as you need, think about starting a thread in the diary section. There's always someone here to try and help you through.

Hugs - Carrie xx

I cheated on my optifast diet today! And now I feel like such a loser. My surgery is on Monday 19th July, and 2 weeks of optifast so far had gone pretty well. And then today my boyfriend and I called it quits and I drank a bottle of wine and ate chips. Stupid and self defeating I know.
However, I'm depressed enough as it is, so I'm trying not to beat myself up too much. I will start fresh tomorrow (well today actually), and be a strong super woman pre and post op. Thats the plan anyway.
I'm just the queen of crap timing!

hi.
found a way to make the coffee ones hot.....

using optifast, in a shaker, add 100ml hot tap water, and SHAKE.
pour into a coffee mug...
add equal to taste, and another teaspoon or 2 of coffee.
now. back to the shaker, add about 50 ml boiling water... and shake.
pour into mug and repeat till mug is full.

this will not turn gluggy or yuck, but will kill all heat soluble vitamins.... so, have a multi with it!!!

i like this for breakfast.
have done 8 weeks opti, but only sort of did it this week, tomorrow.... well Tuesday...

lost 8kg in 4 weeks, feel like i have put it all back on, but am full of fluid, will deal with that tonight...... love lasix!!![/size]

Hey mrs gwt love your veggie ideas!!!

Most surgeons do not allow milk in tea or coffee whilst on optifast, you need to check with your surgeon and follow his instrucions. You cant follow what other people say is okay it doesnt work like that I am afraid. A few allow a tiny and I do mean TINY splash of skim milk in one or two cups a day. You can try pepermint tea which is drunk without milk and quiet a few people dont mind that like it is :)

applesauce

Have been to see the dietician and forgot to ask at the time whether or not you can have milk in your coffee or tea whilst on optifast?? There is no way I could drink it black.. so I may have to start cutting back now. Hmm my family may move away and I pity the poor people I work with LOL

WSU