OF is cruel &unusual punishment...

I wish some of the people who liked Optifast would chime in on these posts because there are plenty out there who do like it (I know your names!) and it gets a really bad rap. I think there are probably just as many people who like it as who don't. Newbies come on here and don't see the posts from people who like it (where are you dang it??) they see negative posts so right away they already have preconceived notions that it was going to be horrible. I can't stand most products with aspartame but I am willing to try new things to give it the benefit of the doubt.



I'm sorry Sabrina that you are one of those who do not like Optifast but it is what your surgeon and most centres in Ontario require pre-operatively. Have you tried making it into a smoothie using ice, decaf coffee or any of the sugar free flavoured syrups? Some people have added sugar free jello and crystal light to the Optifast but others said it was way too sweet that way. I tried a packet of crystal light with the vanilla optifast and found it very unappealing but that is me. I had to do 3 weeks as well and my centre did not allow any veggies at all, we could only have optifast, low fat broth, sf popsicles and crystal light. I know it seems like a piece of tuna or chicken wouldn't be that harmful and maybe it wouldn't but then it ends up being a little rice or pasta and then you are having a whole meal with dessert during your optifast.



I do agree that if you are having a hard time following the rules now you are going to have a hard time following the rules post-op. You have to be very stringent about what you eat or drink, how often and when. For myself I was grateful not having to think about what I had to eat or when during the optifast stage, it was very easy, 4 packets of optifast and a few times I had a cup of broth but that was it. I lost 22 lbs and I kept forgetting to ask my surgeon what my liver looked like. After all that I wanted to hear that it was the size of a peanut! You've only got a couple of weeks left, you can do it!! Hang in there!

I'm one that loved the taste but even if I didn't, it wouldn't matter, I'd still have done it.  It's a small part of my life.  Why don't I post in these threads to say I loved it, because these threads annoy me. 

I think we need to stand up for optifast!

 Like Optifast

i liked the taste of it too. especially when mixed with coffee, or with lots of ice, it was like a wendy's froster. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I loved the taste of optifast I was always excited to get to drink the next one :)

Maybe I am one of the few BUT I LOVEDDDDDDDDD optifast (except for the urgent trips to the bathroom it caused on a daily basis).  

Now that I am on 2 week milk based/high protein post op diet .....I am finding that challenging but I recognize this as just another stage of my new life.  

To me ....it comes down to my health and the initial reason I had this surgery.  

Try and look at the ultimate prize - why do you want the surgery and what is it going to do for your life ?.  Perhaps endulging in some self-care activities might also help. 

Sabrina,
I'm not going to sugar coat this for you I'm going to lay it out, although not much more to say that Karen and Myke haven't covered.

What is 21 days in terms of the rest of your life? After surgery you are going to go days without solid food. Are you ready for this?

Our government (we the people) are about to pay $18,000 for you to have this surgery. Many taxpayers put blood sweat and tears so to speak into hours of labor intensive jobs to make this surgery possible for you. Spent hours away from loved ones, think about this when you find Optifast difficult.

I am not trying to be mean here. I just want you to see that 21 days is a drop in the bucket. When you drop your weight you will look back on this and think "it really wasn't that bad"

I did 21 days of Optifast. I would have done twice that if I thought it would make things easier for my surgeon.

I really want to see you succeed on your weight loss journey. You need to tell yourself that this is the way it is going to be and suck it up. Right now food is the enemy. Just keep your eyes on the prize and before long we all will be seeing the "new you"

Edit: Just read JennR's post and I wanted to add and I mean this honestly. I really liked the Optifast and still wished that some days I could just drink instead of eat. One complete meal in a packet.

Holy Moly, Relax People!

I was just venting during a particularly tough PHYSICAL hungry period. 

I am surprised at how many people went through the Optifast stage without having one single negative thought about it....  it amazes me actually!  You are all such strong people!

Just to clarify, I have stuck to my liquid diet to a T.....  my moments of weakness do not suggest that I will be unable to handle life post op, only that I am human.

Again, thanks for the support. 

I agree Sabrina, you didn't deserve a lecture!  I found the Optifast the hardest part.