Nightshift without caffeine!

[Buh Bye 63]

Hello everyone!

I'm almost 6 weeks post op from band to bypass and I work 12 hour shifts from 19:00-07:00. I used to take Vyvanse pre-surgery to help me focus and stay awake. I don't want to start on it again. My dilemma is that I'm not supposed to have caffeine and I'm dying. Yes dying.

Any suggestions? Wondering if I'm ok to have a little bit on the 3 full nights that I work. I don't drink coffee. I would just use the Water enhancers. Anyone done this or should I just suck it up?

I sleep pretty well in the day and I can take a couple of breaks at night where I go for a walk. I'm a 911 or a 000 dispatch supervisor (depending on where you live) and I can't afford to be groggy and foggy.

Thanks!!

[James Marusek 5,244]

After surgery, the guidelines state avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages because they:

* Stimulate appetite

* Can be irritating to stomach lining

* Acts as a diuretic

* Increases gas

* Pressure against staple line

* May lead to ulcer formation

I avoided caffeinated beverages for about the first year after surgery, then I began using caffeinated teas and coffee. While you are in the "Weight loss" phase, it is probably a good idea to suck it up and avoid caffeine. When you "Weight loss" levels off and you enter the maintenance" phase, I think you have a little more discretion.

[Buh Bye 63]

Thanks James! Good reminders. Sucking it up! ????

[Veronica_mm 87]

We can have Decaf coffee and tea right??

[rnwrny 15]

When I was still on nights I would take extra sublingual B12 when I was feeling sleepy. It's not as big of a pick me up as caffeine but it's something.

[SybrgreenTX 28]

I'm a nightshifter too, and believe me I feel your pain. I can have caffeine now, but it has weird affect on me now and I don't like it. My suggestions are to make sure and get plenty of rest and keep up with you Fluid intake and Vitamins. I tend to snack more at work too. It helps keep those energy levels up a little. Sunflower seeds and beef Jerky if you can tolerate it. Chewing gum helps too. Good luck!

[beachgal2935 596]

My NUT at mayo said we were allowed to have one caffeinated beverage 6 weeks post-op. I usually have a cup of half & half coffee for Breakfast with my Protein shake as the Creamer. She said caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, which is why they don't want us consuming large amounts. This is a Mayo physician's response to this online question:

It is true that caffeinated fluids can contribute to your daily Fluid requirement?

Drinking caffeine–containing beverages as part of a normal lifestyle doesn't cause Fluid loss in excess of the volume ingested. While caffeinated drinks may have a mild diuretic effect — meaning that they may cause the need to urinate — they don't appear to increase the risk of dehydration.

Still, caffeinated drinks can cause headaches and insomnia in some people. Water is probably your best bet to stay hydrated. It's calorie–free, caffeine–free, inexpensive and readily available.

Everyone's Bariatric team is different but I thought I'd share my experience with you

[Buh Bye 63]

@@rnwrny I've been having b-12 shots and it does help thanks! Def not caffeine. LOL!!

[Buh Bye 63]

@@beachgal2935 @@SybrgreenTX Thanks! I did add beef Jerky and it helps. I think I'll give sunflower seeds a try! I actually used the mio Water Enhancer with caffeine and like you sybegreen, it does affect me differently. Just a little bit amps me up for hours! I will only use it one night a week when I have to take a very busy police channel. Gotta keep my boys in blue safe and not be and idiot. ????

Luckily I can get all my fluids in no problem. I'll use common sense (I think I still have some left?) LOL! I so appreciate your feedback!!

[SybrgreenTX 28]

You're welcome. Nightshifters gotta stick together.

[Dub 9,922]

Nightshift working right now.

It's going to suck without coffee.

My plan is to get up and walk more......especially when drowsy.

[Buh Bye 63]

@@Dub Walking helps me a lot!! Unfortunately I'm at the mercy of how busy it is. Sometimes I can't even take a bathroom break for a looong time when it hits the fan. It hasn't been as bad as I thought but it's no picnic. Ahhahaha!???? Glad I'm not the only one.

[Kayzeekat 15]

Has anyone tried the Monster Rehab? I know they have caffein but they don't have carbonation.

[msgal2181 11]

I'm on my liver shrink and one week out from RNY and I'm a night shifter too. Twelve hour shifts and I take nuvigil for shift work disorder & I'm hoping I won't need it after surgery!

[Buh Bye 63]

@@msgal2181 I took Provigil many years ago and prior to surgery, took Vyvanse. I'm happy to say I don't take it anymore! Of course I was very tired when I started back at work but I white knuckled it and as I get healthier & the weight is coming off I'm doing just fine! I also work twelves. I'll confess some days when I wake up around 1400.. I have a squirt of caffeinated Water Enhancer and a Protein snack which helps me get to the gym. I only do this 3 days a week which is how I rationalize it and it works for ME.

I thought I might not make it for a while but ever since I started walking consistently, it's made a big difference. I'm 10 weeks post op today!

I know there are lots of night shifters here and might have better advice or good tips and tricks. Best of luck to you! It's very exciting!

Edited October 20, 2015 by SunInUT