HELP!! STRUGGLING WITH PRE-OP OPTIFAST DIET TO SHRINK LIVER!!

Today is my 6th day of the Optifast diet that my surgeon puts you on before surgery on April 18th. I am finding it extremely difficult to "stay the course" as I am starving, dizzy, weak and feel lousy. Cheated yesterday and trying to stay on track today. Would love to hear from anyone else who went through this for support and advice. Donna A.

Donna l posted on the Ontario board,, email me if you want to talk hon..

I can't really offer any advice but just want to wish you the best and hang in there. Are you on Optifast for 16 days??? Is that a protein drink? I was on "full liquids" for a week prior to surgery whi*****luded yogurts, sf/ff puddings, sf ice pops, soups, protein shakes, carnation instant breakfast, etc. Then only one day of clear liquids. All drs give different plans. Stick with what your dr. ordered. It will be worth it! Best wishes! Dee

Hi Dee I'm on Optifast for 14 days and it's a prescription protein powder you mix with water and drink 4 times a day. It's 900 calories a day and low carb. Thanks for your support. Donna A.

Hello Donna, I don't have any advice. Sorry. However, my surgery date is 4/19 and I am on my pre op diet as well. I am supposed to be on 4 protein shakes a day with some raw veggies and sf jello if I want. I am finding this extremely difficult as well. I can relate to the dizzy, week feeling. I thought I was going to pass out yesterday so I did add some sun flower seeds to my salad and a hard boiled egg. I just couldn't think of drinking another shake without something real in my stomach. I don't know. This is not easy. I know it will be worth it. Maybe we can email each other and try to help each other out? [email protected] I would love to keep chatting about it. I didn't get fat because I eat lite for sure. My body is 274 lbs and to eat 4 shakes and a few veggies? I know it is to shrink the liver and apparently it is very difficult to do the surgery when the liver has all that fat around it but I have known how hard it is to live fat too but I still kept piling my plate. I really want this surgery. I am praying it will work. I am so afraid it won't. Sometimes I feel so alone. You know? Like I know a lot of people have gone through this liquid diet, why is it so dam hard for me? I cheated today too. I had an English muffin with some PB on it and a cup of pop corn. I feel like saying to heck with it all and just cheating the rest of the day but am trying to tell myself it is no way to work this. My mind is definitely playing head games with me. I need to get positive. I need to see the benefit. I guess deep in my head I sometimes feel like maybe this will be like all of the other things I have tried and failed at. I hate to have that attitude. I am 38, 274 lbs, I have arthritis in both knees, my ankles are killing me I can't sit for long either, (in a kitchen chair,) because my legs start to fall to sleep and my back and butt hurt so badly. Maybe we should remember the pain we are in and the pain food causes. I don't know. Email me or just reply to this. I would love to chat. Take care Donna. I am praying for you. Alicia

Hi Alicia I do not have any ideas in regards to the liquid diet but I wanted to ask you about your Dr. I live in Arundel and I am going to the Leahy clinic in MA for my surgery but they are out of network for my fiance so he might have to go to MMC now that there is a Dr there that does the band. Just curious what you thought of her, I know that Roy Cobean, her associate has an excellent reputation. I do not have to do Optifast but I am having the hardest time losing a lousy 18 pounds! If I cannot lose that will I really be able to lose with the band? Michele

I'm having trouble with optifast too- it makes me nauseous. The NP suggested trying water with lemon following a drink; plain salad, chicken broth or eggwhites to substitute for a drink. I'd try talking to your surgeon and getting suggestions. Others here have told me about products they like in respone to my post, so I'm going to try a powder (Designer Protein Whey) mixed into no fat yogurt. Good luck! Joy

Thanks for responding and good luck to you also Donna A.

Donna please DON'T cheat. You are doing well for these 6 days. The trick is to make sure you have huge bottles of water in between. Drink. Drink. Drink. Years ago I lost 98 pounds on a diet similar to Optifast. Of course it came all back and more because I had to eat regular food again. The trick with the all liquid diet is the liquids in between. You may be feeling bad because you are dehydrated. In addition to water drink some flavored decafe coffee and tea and sugar free drinks (like Crystal Lite). The main thing is upping the liquids, as I keep saying. I will be having my surgery on May 1 and have lost 25 pounds since January(when I first started this journey) for pre surgery. I will also put myself on the liquid diet the two weeks before. The more we can shrink that fat around the liver the better it is for us and, for the surgeon. Remember patience, patience, patience. Just think how you are going to feel (and look) by next Easter. Peace, Stephanie

Thanks for the pep talk Steph - you are doing great! I just wish my doctor allowed diet drinks but he does'nt. Good Luck with your surgery in May!! Donna A.