The OPTIFAST Program is a medically supervised weight management program that closely monitors and assesses progress towards better health and emotional well-being. The program, which usually lasts from 12 to 26 weeks, utilizes a full meal replacement plan that transitions to self-prepared ‘everyday’ meals, in conjunction with comprehensive patient education and support. The OPTIFAST program can be modified to meet your individual needs. Consultations are free.
Meal replacement diet
Narrowing your food choices helps you work towards weight loss and management by controlling the amount and types of food you eat.
Medical supervision
Utilizes the expertise of a physician to help you lose weight safely.
Lifestyle education
To help you achieve and sustain better health through nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes.
Counseling
One-on-one individual counseling by a board-certified physician who understands your challenges.
Ongoing personalized support
Included both during and after weight loss to help you achieve and maintain success.
The benefits of OPTIFAST treatment include:
- First of its kind: OPTIFAST was the first comprehensive formula diet program for weight loss.
- It remains the gold standard for this type of obesity treatment and is the program that others try to be like.
- Long-term experience: over one million people treated since 1974.
- Proven therapy: over 80 studies published in recognized medical journals. 52 lb. average weight loss documented in over 20,000 patients completing the OPTIFAST program.*†
- Ongoing support: included both during and after weight loss to help you achieve and maintain success.
- Lasting success: five-year follow-up studies show that over 50% of people who complete the OPTIFAST Program are able to keep enough weight off to improve their health long-term.*
OPTIFAST for Teens
The OPTIFAST for Teens weight management program is designed to address the unique medical, nutritional, and behavioral needs of obese and severely obese adolescents. The program helps adolescents reach and maintain a healthy weight while building healthy habits.
Patient Testimonials
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 four- to six-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.
“I have always been a little heavy, but this was the heaviest I’d ever weighted (185). I was tired and had problems with reflux basically miserable. I’ve tried other diets but Optifast was the easiest because, everything was scheduled and ready to eat (besides boiling water for soup). The first week was a little difficult, I was used to eating more and had become addicted to junk food. Before Optifast I often felt down and wasn’t happy, so I’d comfort myself with food. My experience with Optifast was great and my doctor was great also, she really encouraged me which meant a lot. I have more energy and confidence and feel like I have accomplished my goal. I am currently using Optifast as maintenance. Optifast is easy to do because no matter where you are you can bring it with you since it’s ready to eat. I’ve lost fifty pounds and I am never going back to my old self!” – Susan A.*, completed Dr. Lolachi’s full OPTIFAST program.
“I really liked this program because it was so easy to follow. All the meals are ready to go. You don’t have to think about it. I was eating 5 times a day with a nice variety of flavors, from the shakes, bars and soups, so I didn’t feel hungry or have any really bad cravings. It was great to have a doctor there to monitor my progress and answer all my questions. The results were amazing.” – J.W.*, completed Dr. Lolachi’s full OPTIFAST program.
* The results described are based on active and strict participation in our program. Individual weight-loss results may vary.
† Learn more on PubMed.gov
