Optifast

As most of you know, I'm 40 lb shy from getting a tummy tuck approved as a medical necessity. I've been on Optifast before (pre-op) and the Weight Mgt MD thought it might be an option again.  So, I went to the orientation meeting tonight. First of all, I was starled that I was the smallest person in the room.  I have never been the smallest person in the room before.   I listened to the presentation, and decided it is not for me.  My HMO is not covering it as a benefit, so the full program cost is $3200.  Now, if someone wants to pay me $3200 to lose 40 lbs, I'd probably be 40 lbs thinner by May Day.    Even if I had $3200 burning a hole in my pocket, I wouldn't spend it on Optifast. Also, they are only offering the regular Optifast formula and not the lower sugar version, so I can't use it, anyway.  Sugar makes me dump. So, Optifast isn't an option for me, but I'm not sad or discouraged.   Kix

Kix have you seen the 5 day pouch test? It may help lose those unwanted pounds or at least give you a good jump start. I'm going to try it myself. Basically you start out eating exactly like we did right after surgery and then continue with the different stages of soft protein, solid protein. I'll send you the link. For me its going to help me get control of how I've been eating lately. I haven't been keeping up with my protein and instead of eating meals I'll just grab something here and grab something there and it's showing on the scales.  http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ Hope this helps Hugs, Jamie

Hi, Jamie! Yes, I've actually done the pouch test before, and I plan to start again on Monday.  The main reason I went to the Optifast meeting is that the Weight Mgt MD offered it up as an option and I did so well on it when I needed to lose weight before surgery.  I wanted to hear what they had to say. Kix sick of snow

Hey Kix,    I was so glad to read the posts on here and find out that I am not the only one that can't shake the last few pounds. I think we had a post not long ago about this..the last 20 or so are just as hard if not harder than the  first 20 or so. I am a total carb junky I swear I need to join a support group for carb lovers.. Your starting the pouch test on Monday and I'll join you we can shed these extra few pounds together..however my family better watch out because I know I'll be carb jonesin' HUGS, Jamie

Hi, Kix!  I'm glad you checked into this, and sorry it's not a viable option for you right now.  But I'm super happy that you are not sad or discouraged.  I know you will lose that last 40 pounds, but I know from personal experience that it'll take a while.  I'm still trying to lose the last 15....  Well, it was 15 until the past few days, now it's back up to 20 because I've been eating too many carbs and I think Aunt Flo is coming early this month...  And I leave for a week's vacation on Friday, so I suspect it'll be more like 25 by the time I get home from Vegas Perhaps you and I can help keep each other motivated as we work to finish this part of our journey.  Then we can commiserate about the trials and tribulations of having plastic surgery together!!!!! {{{{{hugs}}}}} Kellie

Kellie, I'm very envious of your upcoming trip to Vegas!  I want to go (and the airfares are actually decent right now), but the budget just won't bend an inch. Carbs are my downfall, too.  Also, I can't figure out why I always weigh more the day after eating my "big azz" salad.  It's not extremely caloric.  Maybe the lettuce makes me retain water.    I'm up two lbs today. I'm confident I'll lose this last bit, and you will, too!   Kix shoveling snow again

Plain iceberg lettuce has virtually no nutritional value and some people claim it increases their water retention.  Is that what you are having?  I don't know about the water retention being true, but maybe you should try baby spinach or another green and see? 

I use those pre-chopped salad mixes that come in the cello bag.  They were on sale at Safeway. It's probably full of iceberg lettuce, I never bothered to check.  I'm pretty sure there isn't any sort of "exotic" greenery in there.  I notice the same thing when I ate romaine lettuce.  It might be that the salad dressing or the cheese has more sodium than I usually eat, too.  I'm careful not to ladle on the dressing. Maybe I'll try spinach next time.  I love spinach, and never think to use it in salads (even though I love spinach salad).   Kix

Hi Kix, I am sorry about how expensive Optifast is..I too need to lose another 40 lbs..it was 30, but I have gotten into old bad habits lately, and gained 10 lbs.. I agree with Kellie..we need to motivate each other, and I am going to check out that link she gave you. I haven't even seen a plastic surgeon yet, I am pretty sure that my insurance won't cover any of it. I really need to find out.  I notice you mentioned that you dump on sugar.... I wish I did, I found out I can eat just about anything....I am sure you remember See's candy, from when you lived in the bay area...Not sure if you can get them in Colorado, but I sure can get them and they have been my downfall. Theres a Sees shop not far from my work...and I have been stopping by there way too much. Lets band together and get these last nasty 40lbs off... I could use your support. Take care Lynn

See's!  (drooling) We do have See's here, fortunately, it's on the other side of town.  My sister is particularly addicted to their peanut brittle.  I like their coffee candies and their chocolate lollipops.  Of course, anything caramel works for me, too. Let's do it!  We'll shake those  pounds. Kix