What is Optifast?
Approach/Method: Medically-supervised program of fortified liquid meal replacements and/or fortified food bars, eventually including more regular foods. Diet plans range from 800-1200 calories per day based on individual patient’s needs. There are weekly sessions on how to change eating behavior, and one-on-one counseling is available.
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Is Optifast Right for Me?
OPTIFAST® is designed for people who are 50 pounds or more overweight, or have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30.
Click here to calculate your BMI.
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How do I find an Optifast physician?
OPTIFAST® treatment is only provided by physicians trained in obesity management. To locate an OPTIFAST clinic near you click here.
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Medical Monitoring
The Optifast Program includes ongoing medical monitoring to assure that you remain in peak health, and that the doses of any medications you are taking and/or the calorie level of your diet are adjusted as you lose weight.
Medical monitoring includes:
- A thorough preliminary medical examination and any necessary lab tests to determine your health status and rule out any risk factors.
- A personalized weight loss plan, based on your health status and weight loss goals.
- Continued guidance and medical monitoring of your progress, health, and well-being throughout the course of treatment.
- Communication with your primary care physician, as necessary.
Novartis Nutrition has worked with the top experts in obesity treatment for over 25 years. Ongoing medical training is available to physicians and Novartis regularly communicates developments and research in the field of obesity to physicians and other healthcare professionals.
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How does a liquid diet work?
The well-documented weight loss success of the Optifast Program is based on the use of a liquid Formula diet. This diet is portion-controlled, calorically precise, nutritionally complete, and has been shown to help people stick to their diet plan.
OPTIFAST formulas and bars take the guess- work out of dieting. The benefits include:
- High quality, complete nutrition
- Pre-portioned and calorie-controlled servings
- Quick and simple preparation
- Enhanced ability to stick with the diet because no food choices are made.
Although some individuals may be skeptical about following an all Formula diet, most people find this aspect of the treatment to be the easiest part because there are no food choices to be made. Hunger typically goes away after the first week or so. Many patients report they feel more energetic than they have for a long time. This probably is due to more stable blood sugar levels, consumption of a balanced diet, decreased weight, and increased activity level, even though the actual calories consumed are reduced.
Think of the full formula phase of the Optifast program as taking a vacation from food. While on vacation you will lose weight, improve your health, and learn new, healthier eating and activity skills so that when you return to self-prepared foods, you are better equipped to manage your weight long term.
The active weight loss phase is followed by a 4-6 week transition period during which participants gradually add self-prepared foods back to their diets. Participants graduate to a maintenance diet rich in fruits and vegetables, grains and low-fat proteins. During treatment they will have learned techniques to include small amounts of their favorite foods into their new healthy lifestyle. The nutrition section of the Wellness Toolbox contains links to many helpful nutrition and meal planning tools.
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What about exercise?
Do you cringe when you hear the word "exercise"? Avoiding exercise altogether, or diving into an overly strenuous exercise plan you are quickly forced to abandon, are common problems for people beginning a weight loss program. Exercise is helpful for weight loss, and essential for weight maintenance and living a healthy lifestyle. If you have been a couch potato however, it's important to start slowly.
The good news is if you have been inactive, you don't need to do a lot of exercise to make it worthwhile. Starting with short periods of activity will help your body and your mind ease into the habit of being more active. Two-minute walks are a great way to get started. It is easy to fit several two-minute walks into your daily routine. As you become more fit, you will learn to gradually increase your exercise periods, and add different types of activity so that you can reap more benefits.
The healthcare professionals at the Optifast Program understand the challenges overweight individuals face as they become active. They will work with you to make sure that your activity plan is appropriate for your fitness level, meshes with your schedule, and that you are emotionally ready to increase your activity level.
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What about weight loss drugs?
According to recent studies, people using full formula diets lose more weight than do those using weight loss drugs. In fact, during the active weight loss phase, patients on the OPTIFAST® Program typically lose 2 to 4 pounds per week, making the use of obesity medications usually unnecessary.
Some OPTIFAST weight loss clinics prescribe FDA approved weight loss medications for patients who have difficulty managing their appetite in the maintenance portion of their program. Each OPTIFAST clinic sets its own policy regarding the use of obesity medications. Novartis Nutrition takes no position on the role of medications in obesity treatment. The physician will determine if you are an appropriate candidate for drug therapy and then decide when and how this therapy will be used. It is important to remember that these drugs are more effective for some people than others. Regardless of whether drug therapy is used, your best chance for success still requires sticking to a healthy eating and physical activity plan.
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Who is the best candidate for the diet?
Clients: Contraindications to very low-calorie diets include: individuals with less than 30 percent or less than 50 pounds over desirable weight (corresponding to BMI of approximately 30-32), those less than 18 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, and individuals with recent acute heart attack or unstable angina, type I diabetes, and advanced liver or kidney disease.
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What is the expected weight loss and length of time?
Expected Weight Loss/Length of Program: This program limits weight loss to two percent of body weight weekly. The Active Weight-Loss Plan lasts for about 13 weeks. The transition phase lasts for about six weeks. Maintenance, which begins at 20th week, is part of the program and continues on an ongoing basis. There is no time limit on maintenance.
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What are the costs?
Cost: Costs vary with the type of diet and length of program. The weekly program fee during the weight-lost phase ranges from $15 to $70 per week. The weekly fees may include group meetings, laboratory fees and physician visits. Depending on the calorie level and meal plan, the weekly product cost during the weight-loss phase ranges from $10 to $70 per week. During maintenance, the weekly program fee is $10-$30 per week. Products are not required during the maintenance phase, but are available if desired. Insurance may cover a portion of the cost.
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Other info....
Availability: Numerous hospitals and clinics in the United States and abroad.
Headquarters: Novartis Nutrition (formerly Sandoz Nutrition), Minneapolis, MN. 1-800-662-2540.
Website: http://www.optifast.com
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