Your diet for the 2 weeks before surgery
RHIANNON BARNES – Dietitian-Nutritionist
BchHlthSc(Nut&Diet), APD, AN
Optifast – Gastric Banding
What is Optifast?
Optifast is a very low calorie diet and has a number of different products in the range of meal replacements. The Optifast Milkshakes are one of their products and are nutritionally complete, meaning they will provide you with everything your body needs. Optifast contains all the vitamins, minerals and protein required for functioning. Therefore, you do not need to eat any other foods other than the specified Optifast regime.
Why do I need to have Optifast?
Some patients undergoing gastric banding question why Optifast is required before surgery when they will loose so much weight after the procedure. Research has shown that using Optifast before surgery can help patients lose enough weight to significantly reduce health risks associated with various procedures. There is also the added benefit of lifestyle changes patients learn as part of the Optifast program to help prepare them for life after surgery. Some of the benefits include:
- Reduced risk of complications during surgery
- Reduced recovery time
- Increased weight loss first year following surgery
How does it work?
All food is replaced with Optifast sachets, which are designed to restrict energy intake, whilst still maintaining your nutritional status. Reducing your energy intake (kilojoules/calories) to below 800 calories/day (3448kJ/day), means your body needs to draw energy from fat stores to continue functioning. This is why you loose weight. It takes your body about three days to adapt to the new diet. You may start to feel tired, hungry and vague, however this should pass within a couple of days. The diet should reduce your appetite and you will not feel as hungry.
Starting Optifast
You will usually start Optifast two weeks before surgery. If you have other medical problems, and/or you are taking regular medications, you will need to discuss these with your doctor. Medications for diabetes, high blood pressure and ‘fluid tablets’ often need to be changed.
Optifast Milkshakes are available in Chocolate, Coffee, Strawberry and Vanilla flavours from most pharmacies.
Optifast regime
The following foods are considered ‘free foods’, and can be included in the Optifast Regime as per the meal plan.
Fruit – 1 serve /day
- 5-7 strawberries
- ½ cavendish banana
- 1 lady finger banana
- 1 slice of pineapple
- 2-3 lychees
- 1 passionfruit
- 2-3 apricots
- 100g cooked rhubarb
- 20 grapes
- 1 medium orange
- 1 medium apple
- 1 pear
- ½ mango
- 1 ½ tablespoons sultanas
- 2-3 prunes
- 4-6 dried apricot halves
- 1 cup tinned/canned fruit in natural juice
Free Vegetables – 2 cups /day
- alfalfa sprouts
- artichokes
- asparagus
- bamboo shoots
- green beans
- bok choy
- broccoli
- brussel sprouts
- cabbage
- capsicum
- carrots
- cauliflower
- celery
- chives
- choko
- cress
- cucumber
- dill pickles
- eggplant
- endive
- fennel
- garlic
- ginger
- leeks
- lettuce
- marrow
- mushrooms
- okra
- onions
- parsley
- peas
- pumpkin
- radish
- shallots
- silverbeet
- spinach
- swede
- squash
- snow peas
- tomato
- tomato-puree
- turnip
- watercress
- zucchini
When preparing your vegetables, you can increase flavour by adding:
- Vinegar: Try balsamic, white/ red wine, rice, apple cider or herb vinegar
- Dressings based on lime or lemon juice, or commercial brands that are ‘oil free’
- Other dressings, including curry/vinegar, red wine vinegar and basil, horseradish and thyme, mint flakes or fresh coriander
- Mushroom and tomato chutney: To make, combine tomato, onion and garlic and cook slowly in a non-stick pan. Serve on top of zucchini or squash.
Optifast meal plan
Breakfast
- 1 Optifast Sachet (flavour as desired)
- Tea/Coffee (no milk and no sugar)
- Clear soup (bonox)
Morning Tea
Lunch
- 1 Optifast Sachet (flavour as desired)
- 1 cup free salad vegetables
- Low-joule jelly
- Tea/Coffee (no milk and no sugar)
- Low-joule cordial
Dinner
- 1 Optifast Sachet (flavour as desired)
- 1 cup free salad vegetables OR 1 cup free steamed/stir-fry vegetables
- Low-joule jelly
- Tea/Coffee (no milk and no sugar)
- Low-joule cordial
Extras
- At least 3 litres of additional fluid per day i.e. Water (flavoured with mint or lemon juice), or low-joule cordial. No carbonated beverages.
NB: Do not use oil, butter or margarine when preparing vegetables
References: www.optifast.com, www.health.qld.gov.au/nutrition/nemo_materials.asp
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