BigHarleyGuy

Doc wants me to lower my BMI closer to 50 before surgery, so I have been on Optifast for about 3.5 weeks (5/10). It was a bit hard in the beginning, but I have been sticking really close. If I do cheat, I am sure to do it with some green veggies. Cumcumbers and Celery have been dear friends. I have also started walking just about 15 mins three times a day. Doc said if I can lose the weight my liver will be healthier. This will make the sugery easier for him and me. So I have been working hard on it no doubt.

He wants my BMI down closer to 50 he said we would monitor how I do and make a decision in about a month or so. I have been following the diet closley, if I need to eat more than is on the diet I snack on celery or some other veggies. Hunger is a state of mind!

When I was first evaluated at my GS office I was amazed at the caloric intake they said I was consuming to maintain my current weight (3000+ calories). They put me on a pre op diet, (Optifast) and reduced me to between 600 - 800 calories a day. I ate followed it closley, and have done well in the last 3.5 weeks - 27 lbs.

I have been on the Optifast 800 for a week now, with no ill effects. I do feel that I have lost weight, however. In addition to the diet, I am also on Vitamins reccomended and perscribed by my doc. Jim Don't have a date yet . . . but working on it!

EVOO=Extra Virgin Olive Oil LOL sorry

Try this: Get your EVOO in a small sauce pan, over very very very low heat (you are not frying) crush a few cloves of garlic and put in the pan. Leave them in pretty big pieces cause you are going to take them out later. Then you may add whatever herbs you like, basil, thyme, or whatever fresh is better. Let it all steep in the oil for 45 mins to an hour. Remember this in on very low heat. Try a taste test if it meets your approval remove from heat and strain out the herbs. Place back in the bottle, for future use. The garlic and herbs will infuse in to the oil, I have made dipping oils before with this method. Oh yeah, not yet banded, but in the process of getting labs and cleared by my doc. Hope to be there soon. Jim