OT: Optifast Diet

Any info on the optifast diet would be appreciated!  How did you tolerate it?  Did you have GI trouble due to just liquids?  How was your hunger?  Did it help you lose weight? I ask because eating most days is hard and instead of doing milkshakes and ice cream which go down alright, I wanted to go with the liquid diet.  I figured if I can't tolerate solids right now and refuse to eat liquid/junk calories, I should just go all out and do the Optifast diet. Help would be appreciated!  Feel free to PM me if you are private about stuff like previous diets.

I tried the Opti-fast  shakes and I really didn't like them.  They had a horrible taste.  But I did find from doctor these R-Kane Pro-Cal shakes and they are really good.  Almost too good to be true.  They are 100 cals , 15g protein for a 10oz. shake.  I add more whey protein to them.  You can order them online.  I would order one of each and see which your taste buds prefer.  I have been on all liquids for two weeks and yes I am hungry but it isn't so bad.

Hi Alyssa, I'm really sorry about all the problems you are having. Hope it turns all okay for you. I had to do the Optifast liquid diet for 2 weeks before surgery. And I liked the vanilla and the chocolate. It didn't taste to bad. The strawberry was pretty bad. I would see about getting just a couple of each flavor so you can decide what you like. Lots of luck with everything Inge

I did Medifast once for four months and I felt great.  Of course, I didn't deal with any of the head issues so gained it all back, but the diet itself was pleasant-no cooking, etc.  I drank 800 -1000 calories a day instead of the more stringent 500 calories, but I did a couple of 30 mile bike rides during that time and road 10 miles or so regularly.  I didn't poo as much, but didn't have the trots either.

I'm glad to hear you didn't have the 'trots' or that you had to 'poo' often.  LMAO!  That sentence just made my night!

Glad you liked my medical terminology

Hi Alyssa.  Two years ago I  participated in the Optifast program for 6 months.  I started the program because I had been denied twice for WLS.    I went thru Emory in Atlanta.  The 6 month program cost me about $5000 or more out of pocket.  I lost 40 pounds on the 6 month program.  Almost the same weight loss I have achieved to date with the lapband.  My program consisted of liquids only, total 800 calories a day for 6 months.  I cheated very little.  I  I went once a week for weigh-in, met with dr about every two weeks, lab test for chlosterol screening, etc for the first 3 months or so, attended a class that rotated each week between nutrition, physical, and psychological counseling.  Would I do it again, NO, but had I not participated in the 6 month program, I would  never have been approved for WLS.  It did help my cause and appeals following third denial.  I lost an additional 10 pounds shortly after I completed the program and was reintroduced to solid foods but that was because my daughter was getting married and I was busy with planning.  Needless to say, it took less than one year to gain back the 50 pounds and more.  I had no problems on Optifast other than hunger for solid foods.  It is my understanding that some Optifast programs do allow one meal a day.  I personally felt like a guinea pig and believed they continue to test the program by trying to incorporate different plans into the program.  It is affective for quick weight loss, but  is rarely permanent.  Most people, like myself, fall back to their bad eating habits and regain.  Best wishes to you. Patti

Back in the 1980's, I was living in Chicago.  This was when Oprah was on Optifast and all of Chicago, including myself, went on this.  I was on Optifast for 5 months and lost 96 pounds.  I just drank 3-4 shakes a day and was never hungry.  I never had any bathroom issues, either.  I reached goal, everything was perfect, until I had to go back to solid foods.  My Optifast Center made no provisions for a maintenance program and so I gradually gained back all the weight plus more.  I love the whole liquid diet, mainly because I really liked the taste of the shakes.  I still drink a shake every morning for breakfast (shhhh..,..don't tell anybody!).  Good luck on your decision.  I had great results, just not when I returned to solid food.  That's why the band is working for me.  It's the best of both worlds.  Good Luck.

My hope is that going on liquids will allow me to lose some much needed wait, force fluids which I seem to be avoiding (due to a bladder issue), and hopefully agree with my upset stomach.  Whatever the cause (band, gastritis, meds, limited supply of saliva, allergies), the discomfort in my stomach is getting old and going on optifast is a better option than going on milkshakes!

I had to do OptiFast for Dr G two weeks prior.  I lost 12 lbs.  I hated it and still have a whole case in my closet untouched.  I tried many different kinds of extract to make it taste good but nothing would work - I had to plug my nose in order to drink it.

I think the other choices like Slimfast might taste better.

 HTH