cutting out soda and caffine

Hi, I thought it would be very difficult to cut out my LOVE for soda and caffine. But it has been much easier than I thought. It has been one month since I have had my beloved diet pepsi. I only think about it now and then, but No cravings anymore. and to top it all off..even though my surgery is not til 05/09/07, and I have to start liquids two weeks prior to that, i have already noticed a big difference in how i feel, plus i have shed some lbs. sometimes its not as bad as it seems when you finally do it. anyone else felt the same way or have a totally different experience? Tina

Hi Tina, I quite my diet soda cold turkey. The only time I crave it is when I go out to eat. It has been easier than I thought as well. I was afraid I would have the headaches I had before when I previously was going to do this. The Lord has blessed me and helped me. My date is May 4th (early b-day present May 8th) and my Dr didn't put me on a liquid diet for two weeks or even a few days before. The only pre-op prep I am to do is the day before at noon start a bottle of Milk of Magnesia and nothing to eat or drink after midnight. I am so looking forward to the energy I will have by doing this surgery and learning to eat correctly and enjoy the food I don't like now (planning on my taste buds changing). Good luck, God Bless Keep me posted.

I experienced the same thing. I am a huge coffee and regular pepsi drinker. I used to have a lot of headaches. Since I have decaffeinated myself, I do not have the headaches. It really was easier than I thought. Everyone used to tell me how I would suffer from excruciating headaches from caffeine withdrawal, but I never did. Just the headaches I already was having. Now I drink decaf and I don't have the headaches. I now drink sugar free, fat free apple drink from Wal-Mart. I thought I was really addicted to pepsi, but I drink even more of the apple drink, which is better for me anyway. I used to be bad about getting all my water in for the day, now I don't because of the apple drink. I can't keep the suff in the house. My hubby and daughter have started drinking it too. Betsy

It's funny because I had to cut out peanut products, caffeine and chocolate () following my lumpectomy in December 2005. My surgeon told me EVERY woman who has cysts should cut those three out. I'm still drinking my beloved Diet Coke (caffeine free of course!) and I'll cut that out just before surgery. I haven't been told I'll have to do a liquid diet so I'll probably have my final one about 10 pm the night before my surgery. But, I've been making decaf iced tea with splenda since that surgery. I haven't had the cravings or headaches or anything. But, I miss peanut butter like crazy!!!!! Best wishes on your surgery! Mine is May 23rd. * Cyndi *

Hi Tina, you have a lot more will power than I do!!! I've been trying to cut down on my beloved Diet Coke, but it has been hard to do. I have managed to quit drinking 30 mins before, during and after a meal, so that in itself is an accomplishment Hey we're having surgery the same day!!! Yeah for both of us Alli

I had so much heartburn from GERD that I cut out caffeine and carbonated drinks before I started exploring surgery options. They just got to be too painful. Now I'm a big fan of Crystal Lite Orange and of course water. What I have found since giving up carbonated beverages is that many fast-food places are offering diet lemonade now. I'm hoping that trend will continue into regular restaurants as well. Congrats on dropping those pre-op lbs! -- T.Rob

I am a Coke (not Diet Coke) drinker and my friend owns a restaurant so I can go and get all the Fountain Coke I want anytime and boy was I hooked. I stopped drinking Coke and caffine and for three days I had a dull headache and stiff neck but now I am over it and feel great. One thing I found out is that I have arthritis in my back and had pain when I walked and since I stopped the Coke and caffine, for some reason the pain doesn't hurt as badly. It's amazing the affect caffine has on the body. I am on Liquids right now and the thing that helps me get through it is the diet snapple and crystal lite. I feel like I am cheating. I get a cup from my friend's restaurant, fill it with ice and drink diet snaple and crystal lite and it satifies me. We can also have sugar free jello and sugar free popcycles. My surgery is May 7, only two days before you. I am so excited.