Optifast Confusion

So I always thought the length of time onOpti was determined by your STARTING weight.

The receptionist booking my surgeon appt. today told me that it goes by how much weight you have to lose???

I'm confused??  I weight 294 so I assumed I'd be on it for 3 weeks, however the receptionist told me 2 weeks.

What has been your experience???

Thanks!

At HRRH it was basically whatever the first number of your weight is. So, a person weighing 300 will do 3 weeks, 299 and you do 2. Total random way of determining and has no real bearing on your actual liver.

"I always thought the length of time on Opti was determined by your STARTING weight." 

That's what I thought.  I went through TWH and had my surgery at TEGH with Dr. Jamie Cyriac.  I weighed 306 lb when I had my first appointment.  I was told I needed 3 weeks of Opti.  At TWH they go by 1 week of Opti for every 100 excess pounds you have. I have heard that people have had shorter times on Opti who are in Ottawa.  Maybe the length of Opti varies by centre?

Good luck on your upcoming surgery! 

Jenn.  :)

I don't think there are any hard and steadfast 'rules'. It depends on your surgeon and generally your starting weight. I was 298 and did 2 weeks of Optifast. Maybe she was confused or mis-relayed the information about the weight. I am sure the documentation in your chart would have been the # of weeks and that the secretary wouldn't be determining that.


Best of luck,
Kristie

Be happy it's only 2 weeks, I weighed less than you and had no co-morbs and my surgeon insisted I do 4 weeks worth with no explanation other than that is what he wanted.  Each surgeon has their own rules and some put everyone on 3 weeks regardless of weight and some do the 1 week for every 100 lbs and others are just random.

Like Kristie said. Its not a scientific factual thing, more like a rule of thumb, what's an easy way to prescribe this stuff thing imo.  

Not that i'm  suggesting our best intrests are not in mind but I'm willing to bet my life the surgeons office makes a profit albeit it small on the sale of opti.

 

That being said since most WLS in Ontario is funded by OHIP (Not mine but i'm following OHIP standards)there really is no excuse for one standard of pre and post op care across the province. 

there's no rhyme or reason, I am in the 300s and only got one week of Opti. My surgeon has seen the effort I've put forth in losing weight and felt around my belly (the swelling in my liver has gone down significantly) In WLS nothing is set in stone !

I am in Ottawa and as far as I can tell, it's 3 weeks for everyone - doesn't matter your starting weight!

don't know, but I got 4 weeks.  It was easier than I had anticipated.