This liquid based diet is aimed at people who need to lose at least 50 pounds or more, and it is best known to help people who are gearing up for a gastric bypass surgery. With that being said, this program is not for everyone as it recommends doctor supervision, and weekly counseling sessions. To participate with Optifast, you are required to schedule a medical exam to see if you qualify to go through the program. After looking further into this company it seems like an extreme method to lose weight fast, and it is not going to be a solution to long term weight loss. Anytime you have medical supervision along with a 26-week program, it can get expensive.
Optifast Claims
They claim: “The OPTIFAST Program is a medically supervised weight management program that closely monitors and assesses progress towards better health and emotional well-being.” After looking further into this claim, the weight loss program is no joke. The doctors are involved to make sure the weight is lost in a healthy manner, and many of the people on this program are dealing with emotional issues that come from the burden of having to lose a lot of weight quickly.
The company also claims that its products are solely intended for customers whose Body Mass Index is 30 or higher, and is only a small part of a weight loss journey many clients face.
When asked if OptiFast was known for helping keep weight off, they responded: “Patients who continue to use weight maintenance programs have a greater chance of keeping weight off than those patients who do not continue using weight maintenance programs.”
Optifast Scientific Backing
Optifast does not shed light on any clinical studies through their website, making the company hard to track. I was looking to gain information on the idea behind their methods, and there was nothing to be seen.
Through further research, it was shown by scientists that Optifast scored “high” on the charts for immediate weight loss within 6 months. Anything after 6 months it dips, as a liquid diet is not sustainable for most. Like mentioned above, this program is for patients seeking major surgeries, and who need to shed pounds in order to be eligible for the surgeries.
Is Optifast Effective?
Yes. Optifast takes drastic measures to ensure the patient will lose weight immediately. This program is once again not for everyone, as the patient will need to be under medical supervision. In the long term, I would not put my faith in Optifast as a fix for weight problems but it can get you on the right path. This is a short term solution, to a lifelong journey of finding health. It is pricey, and one can spend nearly $2,000 dollars depending on the clinic they visit with Optifast.
Does Optifast Have Side Effects?
Anytime a large amount of weight is lost in a short period of time, there are going to be certain risks. Due to the constraints of a low calorie diet, there have been side effects reported. In women, the formation of Gallstones can result from rapid weight loss. Other known side effects have been nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and fatigue. All of the medication dosages are prescribed based on the person’s weight during their time with Optifast. What may be the right dosage in the beginning could drastically change throughout the program causing potential overdoses. This is one of the main reasons the patients need to be supervised.
What Is Optifast Support Like?
The support for this program is most definitely present, as mentioned above. Their customer service was readily available by phone and e-mail. Regarding their social media, they had a surprisingly low following with little to no activity. This surprises me, as there are many support groups out there that enjoy the comradery that the social networks provide.
The Bottom Line
Optifast is an intensive liquid diet, and intended only for the extremely obese. It is intended for significant weight loss in a short period of time. To top it all off you must complete the program under the supervision of a trained physician. This is not a program to merely experiment with, as many people are using Optifast to save their lives from obesity. If all else fails, they offer a 180 Money Back Guarantee.
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*Individual results will vary.
Information on this website is not to replace the advise of the doctor, but rather for general education purposes. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any diet or taking any dietary supplements.
Articles, reviews and investigations are our own opinion, and written based on the information publicly available or simply contacting the companies. We try our best to stay up to date with constantly changing information. If you find any information inaccurate, please email us, we’ll verify for accuracy and update it.
References
Cha, A. (2015, April 7). Scientists: These two commercial weight loss plans work best to keep pounds away. Retrieved November 25, 2015, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/04/07/scientists-these-two-commercial-weight-loss-plans-work-best-to-keep-pounds-away/
Proven Medical Weight Loss Program & Plan | OPTIFAST. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2015, from https://www.optifast.com
OPTIFAST – Diet Review. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2015, from https://www.dietsinreview.com/diets/OPTIFAST/
Thomson, G. (n.d.). Optifast. Retrieved November 25, 2015, from https://www.diet.com/g/optifast
Shannon, J. (n.d.). Optifast. Retrieved November 25, 2015, from https://www.diet.com/g/optifast
