The OPTIFAST Full Meal Replacement Program

Am I a good candidate for the Full Meal Replacement Program?

The OPTIFAST full meal replacement program is appropriate for you if you are obese or if you are moderately overweight and have already developed two or more weight-related health risks. 

What does the program include?

The typical full meal replacement program includes 12 weeks of active weight loss. During that active loss phase, you will replace all of your usual foods with 5-6 servings per day of OPTIFAST products. The OPTIFAST products will supply you with 800-960 calories, over 100% of the required vitamins, minerals, and protein, 100% of the essential fatty acids, and a lower but nutritionally important quantity of carbohydrates.

During all phases of the program, you will be responsible for attending lifestyle change classes to help you better understand the role that food has played in your life in the past and develop the skills you need to keep weight off in the long term. While enrolled in this program, you will need to visit the Center each week. While at the Center, our staff will check your health status and progress to ensure you are losing weight as quickly and safely as possible. Dr. Posson may also adjust the dosage of any medications you may be taking for weight-related diseases.

The active weight loss phase is followed by a 6-week transition period. During this transition phase, you will gradually reduce the amount of OPTIFAST products in your diet and gradually add self-prepared food to your diet again.

Once you've completed the transition phase, we strongly recommend you participate in our weight maintenance program. Studies have shown that people who participate in a weight maintenance support group for at least one year after the active weight loss stage have an increased chance of success keeping the weight off in the long term. As an additional incentive, participation in our weight maintenance program gives you the opportunity to purchase OPTIFAST products for use in your daily diet. Some of our patients like to substitute one of two servings of OPTIFAST products a day for traditional foods as part of their weight maintenance plan.

How long does the Full Meal Replacement Program last?

The duration of the full meal replacement formula program can be customized to meet your weight loss needs. If you have well over 50 pounds to lose, you can extend both the active weight loss and transition phases of your program. If you have less weight to lose, you can shorten these phases of your program.