OPTIfast diet?

I've been reading online about this Optifast diet program..

Not quite sure on what this is..

Can someone let me know some details, if you have any idea..

?

http://www.epinions.com/well-Nutrition-Diets- All-Optifast_Program/display_~reviews

If you are in the United States there are clinics around the country.  The program is medically supervised and you lose weight very quickly but you must be at least 50 pounds overweight.   The program is an 800 calorie completely liquid diet.  There is always a doctor present and you meet with a nurse or nurse practitioner every week and attend a group meeting each week, I meet with the doctor each week because of my diabetes.   You also have lab tests approximately every 2 weeks and your blood pressure, weight and pulse are taken each week to monitor your vitals. 

The program is 12 weeks long but you can extend a total of 8 weeks more in 4 week increments.  The people that explain the program to you will tell you that you can expect to lose 2 to 3 pounds per week if you stay on the program and don't cheat.  Once you are through your 12 weeks and extentions if you so desire, you go into a "transition" phase that reintroduces you to food but the calorie content is no more than 1200 calories and you will continue to lose weight.  You must also drink 64 oz. of water per day.  I do not get hungry!!

It is a very good program however it is very expensive.   I live in Iowa and it costs me $210.00 per week but, for me, this was the only other alternative to bariatric surgery.   I have been on the program since March 5th, 2007, and have lost a total of 50 pounds so far, I intend to extend for another 8 weeks.   My blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol are all better than normal and I was taking mega doses of insulin for my diabetes and medication for the high blood pressure, I am allergic to all the cholesterol medications.  I haven't felt better in years and am into a clothing size that I haven't seen in literally 25 years.   I hope I've answered some of your questions.

dee

Oh Thanks for the input rondee1374

I appreciate it..

In Australia, you can get the Optifast food items in most chemist, and you don't need to see a Dr, but it highly highly recommends doing the program in conjunction with your GP.  I started it after my GP recommended it, and I had all the blood tests etc prior to starting.  I lost 6kg in 2 weeks, but I have had to stop for awhile because I had some other medical problem, not due to going on Optifast.  In Australia, we have milk shakes, soup, chocolate moose, and 3 types of bars (chocolate, berry and cappuccino).  I don't like the soup or moose, so I just had the bars and milkshakes. You also have 2 cups of low starch vegetables every day as well.  I was never hungry while I was on it, and I hope to be able to go back on it as soon as I get clearance from my Dr. 

It is not for everyone, it is really easy to gain weight back again if you do not correct the problems which caused the weight gain in the first place.  Me personally, I have stopped a medication which increased my appetite, and I am going to see a counselor as well.  As I get closer to the end of the program, I will be seeing a dietitian as well.  This is the first diet I was ever able to follow completely, and I never cheated while I was on it.  The one thing I missed was fresh fruit.  Since stopping the program, I have continued to lose weight, and the weight lost has been a great motivation for me not to eat 'bad foods' while I am re-cooperating.

Good luck with what ever you decide to do.