My surgery is scheduled for 5/24/10 and I started taking OptiFast supplemnts - they are shakes and they have bars (kind of like a granola bar). I drink 5 shakes and 1 bar each day until surgery. This is to help lose weight before surgery - which will shrink the liver and make it easier for my surgeon to do his job. I had my first weigh in today (1 week and I've lost 9.1 pounds). I am so excited. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!