Quitting caffeine

[bostonmama 135]

Any tips for doing this to avoid withdrawl? I'm hoping to be approved any day now and I've been told to quit by the day of surgery.

[izzy13 117]

Sorry to jump on your post but i had a question about this too...what's the big deal on quitting caffeine before surgery? If I miss a cup of coffee I get a little headache, after surgery I probably won't notice. Is there another reason dr's want you to give up caffeine beforehand?? Maybe my caffeine addiction isn't as bad as others (I only have one cup a day, maybe green tea after lunch and I have up any soda a while ago)

Thanks

[gina171 626]

Any tips for doing this to avoid withdrawl? I'm hoping to be approved any day now and I've been told to quit by the day of surgery.

I was drinking about 4 cups before noon a few months ago. What I did was for one week I mixed my cups 3/4 regular and 1/4 Decaf, then a week 1/2 regular and 1/2 decaf, then about 2 weeks 1/4 regular and 3/4 decaf. Then I was done. Yes, you will waste some coffee doing it this way....that's the cost of dropping caffeine, that's all.

I am shocked to say I don't miss the caffeine and function fine without it. I've decided to stay off caffeine, except for the few times a year when I will choose to use it as the drug it is: to help stay alert during looong car trips. Otherwise the decaf is fine for me. I do think it helps to get yourself a high quality decaf; I drink Caribou coffee Decaf, very full bodied. I honestly cannot taste a difference.

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Edited September 12, 2016 by gina171

[BrittneyMarie 47]

I'm 5 months post-op and I was hooked on Diet Coke prior to surgery. I probably had about 5 or 6 cans a day.

Since my surgery, I've not had a drop of anything with caffeine and I don't miss it one bit.

You'll do great!

[stormid 7]

Caffeine is a diuretic. It can lead to dehydration.

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[perspectiveiseverything 105]

I am still pre-op (surgery scheduled for 10/5), but started decreasing caffeine after my orientation in August. I used to drink one cup of coffee in the morning and then some green tea in the afternoon. You won't get major withdrawal symptoms if you ween yourself off slowly (I switched to half-caff for two weeks, then Decaf coffee, then after another two weeks, decaf green tea). No headaches.

[Djmohr 6,965]

@@izzy13

The reason this is so critical is following WLS most patients have a very difficult time staying hydrated and caffeine actually pushes the hydration from your body. So post surgery it really is critical.

The same is true before surgery, most of us don't even realize that we walk around all day dehydrated and malnourished even though we are obese or morbidly obese. The caffeine does not help this situation and they would prefer that you are not going through caffeine withdrawals while dealing with all the other physical changes that happen post surgery.

Down the road, many doctors allow small amounts of caffeine back in but it should come only after you really truly have a strict regimen of staying hydrated.

hopefully this explanation helps.....it is what was pounded into my brain before, during and after surgery.

I was able to quit all caffeine and soda a year before my surgery and it really helped me not to have to get used to drinking so much Water because it really was all I drank before hand.

If you have this surgery, get used to drinking Water or crystal light........or water with SF drops or fruit infused water.

I have recently begun using essential oils in my water. I get the benefit of the flavor and the benefit of the oil.

[KatB5331 21]

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!! Make sure you drink water! It helps with the caffeine headaches!

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[sammy246 235]

@@izzy13

The reason this is so critical is following WLS most patients have a very difficult time staying hydrated and caffeine actually pushes the hydration from your body. So post surgery it really is critical.

The same is true before surgery, most of us don't even realize that we walk around all day dehydrated and malnourished even though we are obese or morbidly obese. The caffeine does not help this situation and they would prefer that you are not going through caffeine withdrawals while dealing with all the other physical changes that happen post surgery.

Down the road, many doctors allow small amounts of caffeine back in but it should come only after you really truly have a strict regimen of staying hydrated.

hopefully this explanation helps.....it is what was pounded into my brain before, during and after surgery.

I was able to quit all caffeine and soda a year before my surgery and it really helped me not to have to get used to drinking so much Water because it really was all I drank before hand.

If you have this surgery, get used to drinking Water or crystal light........or water with SF drops or fruit infused water.

I have recently begun using essential oils in my water. I get the benefit of the flavor and the benefit of the oil.

What oils do you use? I've heard people using lemon and mint. Curious to try it!

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[Djmohr 6,965]

@@sammy246

I really like lemon, lime and especially grapefruit. Grapefruit oil is supposed to help with hunger as well so you get the essence of the grapefruit flavor and the benefit.

I have also tried peppermint when my tummy has not felt so good.

[sandeeb 13]

I have been drinking Decaf green tea in the mornings and it helps with my headaches too!

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