Caffeine Free

[novamay]

why is it important to give up caffeine before/after the surgery?

I'm trying decaff but finding it really hard going by the afternoon without my coffee buzz.

 

[Evenstarr]

I've never been told to give up caffeine, infact the dietician I spoke to yesterday encouraged me to drink plenty of fluid including coffee and tea as part of my pre op diet and didn't once mention it had to be decaf.

 

[lornabatt]

I had the same advice as Evenstarr. Having caffeine in your tea/coffee is a personal choice not related to WLS.

 

[stuckinafatsuit]

I wasnt told to give it up either and i didnt. Is this what your providers have told you?

Kim

 

[Nellyphant]

I too wasn't told to give it up. I'd never make it through the morning without at least one cup of 'leaded' coffee!!

 

[dimond]

I wasn't told that either, they just said plenty of fluids including tea and coffee! X

 

[novamay]

When I've been researching about the surgery and post-op diets on the web I've read that drinks have to be caffeine free. (Thought it might be something similar to wine that it goes straight to your bloodstream). I've not been told by my surgeon as I'm not at that stage yet, but will definitely check with Sunderland when I go in next week. I really hope I don't have to give it up - it helps me do the housework!

 

[shelleymarie]

I was told to avoid too much of it pre and post op by my provider as it contributes to dehydration. Which is something we have to be careful with post op. I don't think you have to completely give it up though, especially if you drink plenty of fluids to counter act the dehydration thing x

 

[novamay]

ah, I get it now....silly brain didn't make the connection with caffeine and dehydration. Of course, its a diuretic. I'd forgot about that. I have about 3 cups a day on average, and 2 teas. I don't drink enough water/NAS currently so will mebbe have to cut one of the coffees out and have water/NAS instead and get into the habit before surgery.

 

[shelleymarie]

I still have caffeine in the morning, then try and avoid it for the rest of the day. I've found caffeine free tea, green tea, peppermint tea and nas squash all really easy to adjust to and actually really enjoy them now. I use to drink 3/4 500ml diet cokes a day plus tea etc. (no wonder I never slept!) and I really don't miss it now x

 

[amanda577]

On my pre op diet sheet it states that you can drink coffee, tea etc, but they must be de caffeinated. But I only have the one cup of coffee a day, and that is caffeine coffee, but I do drink a lot of fluids to counteract any dehydration from the diuretic effect.

 

[novamay]

Drinking is one of the things I think I will struggle with - I'm not a big drinker (I used to be as a child - I could gulp down a couple of pints of water at a time and Drs thought I had extra bit of kidney like my dad, but I didn't)... I only really drink at work - 2/3 teas, 2/3 coffees, then a LF Ovaltine at home before bed. Don't really drink a lot of water or NAS juice now - perhaps a glass a day, so will have to look at increasing that. I've got a sippy bottle which I will bring to work and substitute some of the coffees/teas for juice.