Newbie questions

I have been wondering about Opti fast that I reading about. Can anyone help me out with some questions I have.

1) how does it taste?

2) thick, thin, pre made?

3) is there different flavors?

4) whats the cost of it?

5) where you get it?

I was also wondering about exercise

1) how soon after surgery do the recommend you to start exercising

2) is it true that you lose the most weight in the recovery time?

In general

What did you find helped you and what didnt

What can I say, I have a curious mind. hehe

Thanks :)

How does it taste? Everyone will have a different answer. Some love it some hate it

You make it the consistency you want

Two flavours, chocolate and vanilla

Cost and where you get it will be covered in your information by your centre

Exercise

Right after surgery walking to get rid of gas

all other will be covered by your surgeon

I can answer  some for you.. Opti is $110.00 per week.. It cost me $220.00 for my 2 weeks.There is Chocolate and Vanilla..You purchase it from the Surgeons office.I assume all clinics do that..I start.. I start my Opti on June 13th.. Hope this helps Krista...

Some of my answers will be repeats but here is what you asked:

1) how does it taste?  This is very individual, some say sweet, some say gross, some say great.

2) thick, thin, pre made?  It comes in powder format already, you determine the density based on the amount of water you use.

3) is there different flavors?  Chocolate and Vanilla

4) whats the cost of it?  Can depend on centres, and the total will depend on how much you need to drink (decided by the surgeon)

5) where you get it?  From your clinic, you will get a perscription for it and they fill it at reception.

I was also wondering about exercise

1) how soon after surgery do the recommend you to start exercising - Walking as soon as you can, no lifting for 4 - 6 weeks.  No baths/swimming until your incisions are completely healed.

2) is it true that you lose the most weight in the recovery time?  This is a chart that floats around once in a while:

Expected excess body weight loss:
6 weeks - 25%
3 months - 35%
6 months - 55%
9 months - 70%
1 year - 80%

For patients weighing 200 to 250 lbs.
10 lbs. in first 10 days
15 to 25 lbs. in 6 weeks
25 to 35 lbs. in 3 months
35 to 45 lbs. in 6 months
60 lbs. or more in 1 year
70 lbs. or more in 18 months

For patients weighing 250 to 300 lbs.
10 to 12 lbs. in first 10 days
15 to 25 lbs. in 6 weeks
25 to 35 lbs. in 3 months
45 to 60 lbs. in 6 months
80 lbs. or more in 1 year
90 lbs. or more in 18 month

For patients weighing 300 to 400 lbs.
10 to 30 lbs. in first 10 days
25 to 45 lbs. in 6 weeks
35 to 55 lbs. in 3 months
50 to 80 lbs. in 6 months
100 lbs. or more in 1 year
120 lbs. or more in 18 months

For patients weighing 400 to 500 lbs.
10 to 30 lbs. in first 10 days
25 to 45 lbs. in 6 weeks
35 to 60 lbs. in 3 months
50 to 90 lbs. in 6 months
120 lbs. or more in 1 year
150 lbs. or more in 18 months

In general, what did you find helped you and what didnt? 

For drinking Opti?  Really cold water, I would rinse my shaker and fill it with water and put that in the fridge until the next shake time. 

In general, guess it would be having support, both in person and on here.

Cathy

Thanks Cat!! Awesome info!

Im guessing if Im exercising I will lose more, faster.

Im scared about getting skin infections.  I have had a couple of horrible MRSA infections last summer. I was in hell.

Do anyone know about what is needed to happen for skin removal surgery to happen? Like how much do a person need to lose? Is it easy to get or even really needed?

I have to lose 230lbs. Im kinda thinking I will need to . I am very bottom heavy, all bum and thighs and lower belly.

OHIP won't pay for plastic surgery, unless there is a documented medical condition.  And even still, it's hard to get a surgeon to put the paperwork in and you might have to appeal it on top of that.

The only surgery that they will pay for is a panniculectomy, where just the lose skin is removed from the tummy, no muscle work or anything else is done.  It's not a real tummy tuck.

If you do tend to get rashes, get them checked and documented by a doctor.  It is one of the reasons why they will cover it.

Cathy

I have some questions in addition to these -

Did you take the time off work while you were on opti - I have heard the term opti-trots thrown around here

If you are lactose intolerant can you still use the opti? - what in it is it that people seem to be allergic to?

I'm not sure about your lactose question, but I didn't take time off while on Opti.  I did take 5 metamucil capsules (sugar free) with each shake, and it seemed to keep both the trots and the clogs at bay (either can be an issue while on Opti).

I believe it is not recommended for people with lactose intolerance. This would be discussed with the nutritionist at your appts.

I didn't take any time off work for Opti.  And I also commute an hour each way (on good days).

I do have milk issues, the more lactose the more issues.  So I had asked this specifically at orientation and was told that there was no problems with it for people who are lactose intolerant.  I didn't have any problems with the shakes upsetting my stomach or any of my regular milk issues while drinking it.  I can't tolerate other protien shakes at all, I've tried a couple regular ones and they have milk in them.  When you get to that stage Webber has a peach mango flavored one that is like juice, and there is 4EverFit that is a juice type.

Cathy