JackieN78

I have an awesome Optifast recipe! I only survived my Optifast diet because I was able to figure this out. I took 2 powder envelopes of chocolate Optifast (yes 2- I was on 8 per day and could only get them in that way - which was approved by the docs office) I added those to 8 oz water, with 2 packets of sweetener (I used Truvia), peppermint extract and about 5 ice cubes (mine are crescent shape from an ice maker in case yours is different). I blended that together and it was actually GOOD!! I kinda wish I could have another here and there lol! Good luck with your optifast, it's well worth it - I'm a month out tomorrow and couldn't be happier with the decision I made to have surgery!!

On Thursday, 5/29 my paperwork was submitted to Aetna..on 6/2, that next Monday - I was already approved! Same day I got my approval, I was scheduled for surgery on 6/26! I'm so excited, completely feel ready for this and if anyone is also scheduled on/around the same date, feel free to friend me or message me! Can't wait for my spot on the losers bench!!

I have to say, I got a bottle of Culturelle Chewable Probiotics and it seems to be working!! *fingers crossed*

I'm sort of at the end of my rope. Since I was sleeved 6/26, I have been eating according to my NUT guidelines, yet as soon as I eat something I'm running to the bathroom nearly immediately. When I was on full liquids this seemed to make sense, but now I'm on purée and just today - had a bit of egg salad for lunch and after maybe 10 minutes...again. I've had no real issue with tuna which also is made with mayo so I can't figure out the trigger. It's just scary and I hope this stops happening since I'm supposed to be returning to work soon! I don't want to live on liquid Imodium just to make it stop! If anyone has any suggestions or tips I'd greatly appreciate it!!

That's a very good point - I've taken in protein and liquids and didn't even think about fiber - which I just looked and have had 0 fiber!!

I did tell my doctor and she wasn't concerned. She said it's to be expected and would get better once I got out of liquids and onto more purée foods. It slowed down a little but it's still an issue - figured I'd see if you guys had any ideas before I hit the panic button and called again.

HW: 330 SW: 318 (after 2 week Optifast/clear liquid diet) CW: 299.6 (yay! Out of the 3's!!!) Sleeved: 6/26/14

I was sleeved June 26th and I am feeling great! I have unfortunately been weighing in often, but I plan on changing that immediately so that I don't get discouraged. I started out at 330, 318 after two week preop Optifast diet. I'm now weighing in at 303 this morning so I'd say 15 lb weight loss in just over one week is more than acceptable . I'm looking forward to the purée stage of my diet though - I was so excited to have tomato soup in the full liquids stage. No go. The stuff just didn't agree with me. I had a different soup last night and that one didn't seem to be as bad - either way I don't feel like I'm having good luck and that can be discouraging too. I'm keeping my head up, trying all sorts of different soups - hopefully something won't make my tummy rumble and make me afraid to leave the house after eating (LOL) Hope everyone is doing well, any suggestions I'd be happy to hear! feel free to reply or PM me!!

I use Unjury personally. I've been on a kick of using 8 ozs Trop 50 orange juice (reduced sugar and carbs - within my 10 per serving guideline) and I add a scoop of vanilla unjury to it. It's pretty tasty if I say so myself. Not a daily thing for me but when I need a good 20 grams protein for a day it helps! Also when I drank Optifast pre-op, I used to mix a shake with water, add a truvia (Splenda) packet, ice and a flavor extract - peppermint with chocolate shakes was amazing! That made them more palatable at least

Thursday 6/26 is my day! I'm first on the board for my doctor, and I couldn't be happier about it! The past couple days though at work I have had people come by and wish me well with surgery and it's just been a bit surreal. I have never been shy with my decision to do this - if they can't look at me and see why I'm doing it then they may need some glasses! They have all been supporting and understanding of the liquid diet, some jerks but for the most part they don't flaunt food in front of me . I hope when I wake up Thursday (very early) in the morning, that I'm still so excited. I don't want to be scared of this. Quite honestly I'm more scared of not waking up some morning if I don't do it!!

Good luck on your preop diet - I'm on day 12 of my liquid optifast preop diet. Worst part is dreaming about the food I'd love to eat lol! It's mind over matter so I just keep thinking how eating this delicious looking food is what got me here in the first place...I haven't strayed one bit - even cooked dinner for my husband a couple times! . Let us know how it goes and if you need anything!!!

You're very lucky mrshall617! I started the process in December with a seminar, had my initial surgical consult 1/6/14, and went from there to cardiologist, psychologist, pulmonologist, 2 sleep studies, a CPAP machine, an echocardiogram, an Upper Endoscopy, a repeat EKG and PCP Clearance - it took a bit, and like the op said, I've been poked and prodded a ton! But now, I have a surgery date, and I've been on my 2 week preop Optifast liquid diet for three days now. It isn't as hard as I thought it would be, except for when I start thinking about what to buy for after surgery I hope you all enjoy your new lives as much as I hope to - see you all on the losers bench!!

Hi Shawna! I'm about to start my 2 week Optifast 800 diet. I'm not sure how this will go, starting tomorrow I can eat NO real food - shakes, Jello, popsicles and broth for 2 whole weeks - then surgery, then 2 more weeks of liquids...but at least by that part I will be getting my spot on the losers bench! I hope you surgery goes smoothly, any tips with Optifast - I'm willing to take any tips out there!

Did you get your surgery date yet Pelicanlady?

On Thursday, 5/29 my paperwork was submitted to Aetna..on 6/2, that next Monday - I was already approved! Same day I got my approval, I was scheduled for surgery on 6/26! I'm so excited, completely feel ready for this and if anyone is also scheduled on/around the same date, feel free to friend me or message me! Can't wait for my spot on the losers bench too!!

I ordered the sample kit of powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury just since I'm close to getting a date and I need to get on the ball and have my Protein in place! Today I decided to try out a shake and see how it is. The strawberry sorbet shake wasn't bad at all. I made it with 8 oz of Water, so it was thin - but I figured since I'm going to have them they way post op I better try it out I thought it tasted like PEZ. My husband tried a sip and said it was sweet like strawberry quick syrup would taste. It wasn't revolting, that's the main take away, for 21g of protein, it's palatable. I could totally do this three times a day to get my protein in. I'm less scared now that I know this. Let's do this. We all got here different ways, but we have come to or are coming to the same conclusions and this journey is awesome. Preop hasn't been easy, and I know nothing that is ever worth it IS easy. That's how I know this is worth it. Next up to try: Grape frost Isopure (which incidentally my GNC let me buy ONE bottle rather than a case of the 40g protein variety!)

I tried the chocolate as well - tried it with some Silk Soymilk. I was scared since I have heard protein shakes are chalky and clumpy and all the horrible stories...well the chocolate splendor unjury was amazing. I'll definitely be ordering this in a larger quantity! My husband even wants to have it and he isn't a WLS patient - he just likes the flavor!

I'm going to have to do Optifast for 2 weeks preop, this is just to get something in place to get my protein in post op mainly I should have had this all locked down already since my last visit with my nut was back in April!

Good luck to you msryan!!!

I feel like I've been a stalker around here reading all about your stories and not sharing mine! In fairness, I usually check this from my iPhone, so it's not the most convenient way to post! Here's a little about me - I have always been a bigger girl - 190 when I graduated high school, 255 when I got married 5 years ago, and now at my highest weight ever - 325 (give or take 5 lbs). Over this past year I have had more "fat people problems" than I ever had in my 35 years on the planet! The knees, the back, the short of breath while walking shorter distances, nevermind the fact I couldn't even attempt to work out! I attended a weight loss seminar at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE on December 17, 2013 - had my consult with my surgeon, Dr Wynn on January 6, 2014 (that felt really fast...though my mind had long been made up by then). Since then I have been poked and prodded as most all of us have been. Along the way I found out I was suffering from a severe case of sleep Apnea - and now after 2 sleep studies (one at home and one CPAP overnight study at the sleep lab), I will be receiving a CPAP of my own! That overnight study was the BEST night of sleep I've had in a while, so it's a very good thing in my opinion that I was able to discover why I wasn't sleeping well. Along with all of this, I have a lot of reasons I want to get the surgery done. First off, I'd like to spend more than the past 5 years with my husband. We'd like to have a child, and being this overweight with the co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pre-diabetes...these things do not equal a happy healthy pregnancy! Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I hope to meet some great friends and support here on the board - local and afar, I welcome any and all advice, comments and friend requests Good luck to you all, and if I can be of help anywhere I will gladly jump in but for now - I think I need to learn the info before I try to provide advice to anyone

My doctor will require a 2 week full liquid preop diet that I have been dreading/preparing for all along - I'm sure it will still be a shock though when I start it! My goal first will be to just be able to do things I'm afraid I can't do anymore - like restaurant booths granted I won't be at a restaurant the day after surgery but I want to be able to sit at a booth and not worry if the table is movable or not - but weight wise my goal is to get to about 155-160 - that's a lot of excess weight but as soon as I'm able to again I am going to live at the gym lol I have always liked going to the gym when I was going but I lost interest if I stopped going. Now I'd love to but physically can't anymore!!

Good luck in the AM!! Keep us posted!! See ya on the losers bench soon (hopefully) LOL

@Beeteroo...yeah this was a pretty tough decision to make - basically one day my husband (who is very skinny lol) looked at me and said he wanted to be a father to our someday child but he didn't want the day he became a father to be the same day he became a widower...he wants me to be healthy which I clearly wasn't anymore. It kinda made me love him even more - he could care less if I am fat or skinny he just wants me healthy and alive. I think this surgery is going to help me be more active and alive - I actually know it will. Because I'm committed

I'm at the point now where I need my Pcp to sign off and I get my clearances submitted to insurance....so I'm a bit frustrated so far but I know it'll be well worth it! My office coordinator has been amazing and has taken it upon herself to actually talk to my doctors office and get things organized on their end since they haven't worked together before My goal surgery date is June - hopefully early to mid June if I have anything to say about it I'm really looking forward to the surgery, especially since my Egd was done so seamlessly! Since I did that I now no longer have a fear of what is going to happen - I've never had any surgery before other than oral surgeries