Can't really afford Optifast? Who can...

 Alot of people are told to drink Carnation Instant Breakfast after surgery.. what exactly is the difference?

I'm not telling everyone to have total meal replacement here like Optifast post op. If they have two a day at least that's about 32g of protein. If you're having a hard time getting food in you (like I do) and/or you're having a hard time affording protein powders along with all the suppliments that aren't covered by medical coverages then this is a viable alternative post op and a very good alternative to Optifast pre op.

I know alot of people that had to opt out of Optifast programs (I've been in two) because of the cost. Now Optifast programs are covered by OHIP but Optifast itself isn't. Boost is a good alternative for those people and for those that have no choice but to do it pre op. If you can't afford it you can't afford it. I was put on 6 weeks of Optifst pre op.. I've never heard of anyone ever having to do it that long before surgery. That would have cost me over $500 for Optifast. Less than half for Boost... and free for those on OW, ODSP or other private carriers.

If the formulation is almost exactly the same.. I don't see the problem.

I don't see a prob either, for pre op. 6 weeks of Optifast, gawd, I would have died.  This was Dr. Starr?
He must of had a reason, but gawd!!  Good for you for being able to tough it out.  I was also a long time getting onto "real" food.  Stayed on mushies abd soft foods for a long time.  I am still a barfer, if I don't chew alot and eat real slow.  I'm definately a slow learner.

I don't have a problem eating food. I'm past mushy food, I know how to eat I just don't like to. I get full too fast and my food gets cold before I'm finished it and reheating something 10 times just isn't my thing so I often don't eat as much as I should and I much prefer grabbing a shake/Boost/Ensure instead. I can drink faster than I can eat and I don't feel overly full.

In addition to Boost Diabetic, there's GLUCERNA for diabetics which comes in cans and is just like Ensure, but is for diabetics...unfortunately not as many flavours as Ensure!..

Oh I know.. I've bought a couple cases of Glucerna once. I gagged on it lol They do sell them in similar bottles to Boost and Ensure now but still. I think it would have to be really really cold. It reminds me of vanilla Optifast but I think the Optifast tastes better lol

Glucerna is 200 calories, 27 carbs (though I'm sure they're slow release since it's a diabetic product) and 10g protein.

Have you told tracy or dr starr that you will be using boost diabetic instead of optifast? And they are ok with it?

They were very strict with me that it had to be optifast thats the only reason im curious.

edited: oh you already had your surgery!

sorry i was confused. So did you use boost diabetic presurgery instead of optifast and dr starr said that was ok?

The Hamilton Bariatric Clinic said it was ok. I didn't buy my Optifast from Dr. Starr's office it was too expensive. I did 3 weeks of Optifast then I did 3 weeks of Boost... it cut my cost from $500 to $250.

Hey 5 months ago I was drinking Carnation Breakfast drink (sugar free)...it's not filled with the best nutrients, but at that time my clinic stated that it was something eveyrone could afford.

glad to see there are more alternatives out there for the up and coming candidates

Exactly a lot of people are told to use Canration Instant Breakfast post op and that's the same as Boost.. it IS a meal replacement but most don't see it that way.

It is great there's an alternative out there.. not everyone has to be stuck counting pennies every month not sure what to do or what suppliments to give up for another.

:)

I'm taking the cost factor out here and just remarking on the taste difference

I could handle Optifast chocolate - didnt mind it at all - the Boost made me gag big time.