How do I wean myself off of coffee?

[VegasGuitarGuy 10]

I will be having a gastric sleeve done in mid February 2014. I currently drink 2-3 cups of black coffee per day and know that after surgery there will be zero coffee. I want to avoid the classic headaches that come from no caffeine.

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

[PurpleDiosa 13]

I'm right there with you - I think I have more coffee than blood in my system - I'm really dreading the withdrawal. I'm hoping to switch gradually to Decaf, then none at all. Right now, since I don't have a date yet, I'm just working on cutting back to three cups a day, next week, on to two cups a day. My coworkers are more concerned about my coffee withdrawal than my surgery recovery, LOL!

[newat52 1,613]

I had to go off it for a while before and after surgery. I did it slowly over a couple of weeks. First I did regular on first cup, half caff on my second cup. Then went to half caff for first and second, then half caff for first and Decaf for second. Took about 2 weeks and didn't suffer at all.

About 4 weeks after I started the same way. It took a couple of months before I could finish a cup of regular but now 11 months out I back to my 2 cups a day.

Good luck! You will be ok during the time you can't have it.

[Who Dat 70461 331]

I followed doc's orders to a tee...except the whole coffee thing! Which looking back, wasn't the doctor who said no coffee, but the nutritionist. Regardless, I'm almost 9 months out and have been drinking 6-8 cups a day for about 4 months. Started off with Folgers half-caf and now drink both. I know there are folks on here who will cringe or scold for drinking it, but to each his own.

Please don't think I'm encouraging you to do the same, simply offering up my story.

Good luck on your journey and Godspeed for a quick recovery!

[Katcloudshepherd 630]

I switched to 3/4 caffinated then 1/2 caffinated then no caffeine. i did this over a period of several weeks. One week 3/4 then one week 1/2 then one week none. Difficult for me since I've been drinking coffee since childhood. I also suggest you make sure you can get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep during this time. I still can't drink coffee and man when I don't get that minimum 8 hours sleep--It's a beotch getting up for work the next day and functioning. I had no idea how much caffeine helped me function throughout the day.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Katcloudshepherd

[Blondiee 278]

I did half-calf for one week along with Advil. Then Decaf the next week. I did this about 2-3 months before surgery I think...can't remember exactly when.

[MIJourney 490]

I was allowed de-caf coffee & tea post surgery.

I actually switched over a couple weeks pre-surgery.

At my 6 month check up I was cleared to try caffeine & carbonation to see how it went.

I drink both caf and de-caf coffee now.

Have not tried pop and probably won't get back into that habit but have had some 0 cal-0 sodium sparkling raspberry Water and that has been a refreshing addition in small quantities.

[CrissyRing77 232]

I was the same as you, so I cut a cup a day two weeks in a row, then once down to 1/day I did half caff, then no coffee for a few days prior to my liquid diet, I did have a headache but used Tylenol! I would take care not to use Ibuprofen close to surgery it can cause ulcers and you don't want any issues going in!

[2Big2Skate 328]

When you wake up in the PACU with tubes all over you, you wont be thinking about coffee. The Water going in the tube, mixed with strong painkillers will satisfy all your cravings! I'm being funny but what I mean is, there's a great opportunity to go cold turkey at that time. You'll have plenty of mental and pharmaceutical distractions.

[McButterpants 2,846]

Ahhh caffeine withdrawal...it sucks.

I was a heavy coffee drinker - not only was a I heavy, but I drank a lot of coffee. Sorry, bad joke.

My doc wanted me completely caffeine free prior to surgery - two weeks before. About 4 weeks before surgery, I woke up and said there's not time like the present, so I quit cold turkey. That was a mistake. By noon I was sick and had a terrible headache. I drank a strong cup of coffee and felt better almost immediately. I decided then, to ween myself off coffee.

It took me 2 weeks to do it...The first couple of days, I swapped out one cup with 1/2 caff 1/2 Decaf. Then another cup w/ 1/2 caff 1/2 decaf for a couple of days. Then I cut down to one cup of 1/2 caff 1/2 decaf and one decaf. Just slowly cut back on the caffeine and it worked. No headaches, it was great.

My doc approved me at 8 weeks to drink coffee, but I had to pinkie shake it was only going to be one cup of caffeinated coffee per day. I can't go back to my old ways.

Good luck!

[JewelJ 29]

OK, i'm with "WHO DAT"... no one has said anything to me about coffee... I do drink 3 cups a day..... I do not mind going to De caf while healing a couple of weeks....... But I am a coffee Drinker. I will prob always be a coffee Drinker.....As long as I get my Water in... I don't understand the problem. I also saw a post that said I should worry about crushing pills???? This is not the BAND... it is a smaller stomach... I'm sure it can handle a couple of pills, can it not??? No one said to me to worry about that...???? Good Luck to all... JewelJ

[McButterpants 2,846]

OK, i'm with "WHO DAT"... no one has said anything to me about coffee... I do drink 3 cups a day..... I do not mind going to De caf while healing a couple of weeks....... But I am a coffee Drinker. I will prob always be a coffee Drinker.....As long as I get my Water in... I don't understand the problem. I also saw a post that said I should worry about crushing pills???? This is not the BAND... it is a smaller stomach... I'm sure it can handle a couple of pills, can it not??? No one said to me to worry about that...???? Good Luck to all... JewelJ

All docs are different - I have read where some docs don't require their patients to be caffeine free. You should check, just to make sure.

In the beginning, immediately after surgery, I believe the concern is the acid in the coffee - it's hard on your new tummy - and the diuretic effects of the coffee, even if you're drinking Water. In the beginning you probably won't get to your minimum water intake for many days maybe even a week or two.

[NMJG 1,266]

My doctor did require us to be caffeine free and I found it very helpful. If you research it, you will find that caffeine both increases acid and your appetite. It helped me to be caffeine free when I was losing most of my weight and I recommend it.

At almost 6 months I have the occasional caffeine drink a couple of times a week, but generally stick with Decaf. I used to drink 2 cups of coffee every morning. Now I drink a lot of herbal tea and sometimes diet hot cocoa (swiss miss). One good thing, if I really need a caffeine boost, 1 cup of real coffee works great now.

[2Big2Skate 328]

It's a personality thing too. I don't do well with part-way measures. That's just me. I need firm barriers that I never come close to crossing. Caffeine is a drug I cannot be trusted with. There is no "in moderation" in my world (as a general statement lol). So I decided it was best to not stand too close to the fire.

Holy hell I miss it. Especially when it's cold like this. It really was a part of my identity I think. Sigh.

[JewelJ 29]

ALL GOOD INFORMATION. thanks so much to you all!!!!