What is the scoop on caffeine?

I know they want us to leave it in the past, but it is my favorite vice. Since making the decision to go for the lap band, I have stopped a six-pack a day Diet Coke habit. I get why the need to stop carbonation, but the lack of caffeine nearly killed me (and everyone around me for that matter.) Now I have a daily a small non-fat latte with 1 Equal. I just don't know how I am going to give up the caffeine.

So:

1. Why do we have to give it up?

2. If you did it - what is your advice?

i wasn't told to stop caffiene. I was told that since I use coffee mate it was better than black--for the acid sake in the coffee. I think that is another case of every doc is different.

I was not told to give up caffeine either. I gave up sodas about 6 months before surgery . If i do not have a small amount of caffeine a day I will get a migraine . I drink one 9 oz bottle of raspberry tea a day . Its probably not the best choice but the tea was how i was able to kick a very large soda habit LOL . Plus its enough caffeine to stop my migraines ( for the most part)

HTH

Mindy

I wasn't told to give up caffeine either. I was even given tea at the hospital after surgery. Coffee and tea are my doc's list of liquids for that phase of recovery.

You give up caffeine to stop possible dehydration. I never did and never will give up caffeine, unless my ticker is in trouble.

You have all made me feel much better about this one. Thank you all for your input.

My doctor is okay with caffeine.

Hi Everyone!!

The reason why they want you to avoid caffeine is due to its dehydrating potenial. During the first month of so post op you are already at high risk of dehydration. For example, for every 8 oz glass of a caffeinated beverage you would have to compensate with 16 oz to adequatley rehydrate your body. If the body is already dehydrated you could put your body at risk. Also, to be the most metabolically active you need to be hydrated. There is no quicker way to stop loosing weight then to become dehydrated. Soooo, that is the risk. Hope this helps.

Hugs!!

I was told not to drink caffeine anymore. For the most part, I've quit. My fill nurse said to stop because of the dehydration risk and because caffeine makes you hungry. I had never this before, so I don't know how true it is. Once I got past the initial shock of no caffeine, I was fine.

I used to be addicted to diet coke but now I drink coffee for my caffeine kick (plus it keeps me regular if you know what I mean). Doc is fine with it so long as it is black or with spenda or the like. I think the Gastic Bypass people are more likely to be dehydrated than us. My program stressed no caffeine for those patients but for lap band, not so much. I had no problem getting adequate fluids in immediately post surgery. In fact, they had to tell me not to drink so much in the hospital. Gastric Bypass people have told me that they can only sip small amounts.

Ok, so I know it's been over a year since the last response on this thread. I actually got it thru google. I am set for my banding surgery on 5-8, and my wife is actually being banded a week from today. Our nutritionist has a unique stance on caffeine that I have not heard or read anywhere else. She says that the caffeine is a GI irritant, and can cause ulcers that can eventually cause the band to intrude into the stomach pouch. Has anyone else ever heard of this? I've not found anything else online about it.

I work at Starbucks, so as you can imagine, coffee is VERY important to me. I drink it straight black, but I have been known to consume 32 oz of it in a day.

Topher

Never heard that! I drink coffe everyday, no problems.

Ok, so I know it's been over a year since the last response on this thread. I actually got it thru google. I am set for my banding surgery on 5-8, and my wife is actually being banded a week from today. Our nutritionist has a unique stance on caffeine that I have not heard or read anywhere else. She says that the caffeine is a GI irritant, and can cause ulcers that can eventually cause the band to intrude into the stomach pouch. Has anyone else ever heard of this? I've not found anything else online about it.

I work at Starbucks, so as you can imagine, coffee is VERY important to me. I drink it straight black, but I have been known to consume 32 oz of it in a day.

Topher

Still no problems with me with coffee/caffeine and I was banded december of 2006. I drink several cups each morning. I totally avoid any carbonation though.

Caffine also stimulates appetite! My hubby and I weaned ourselves off. Mixed coffee grounds 3:1 then half and half then 3 decalf to 1 caffine the straight decalf.No headaches, no problems

I was told that caffeine might increase appetite, but when I told my nutritionist it didn't, she said go ahead I was told had to stop the Starbucks, though. Even the "skinny" has calories. I still go here and get my non-fat, sugar free beverage every day, but I found that even that has 12 grams of sugar and about 100 calories. I also note the 9 grams of protein in a tall nonfat (every gram counts). I just figure it in, because life for those around me is much better if I have something.

Edited April 22, 200917 yr by BgB9

My husband has problems with stomach ulcers and I know we have been told no caffeine / no carbonation. Even decaf has some caffeine - nothing like straight coffee but it does have some. Also, chocolate has caffeine.