Why No Caffine?

I know this is probably a DUH! question, one I should already know the answer too, but if someone would be so kind as to remind me why we are not supposed to drink caffeinated beverages I would appreciate it. I have a dilemma; the blend of tea I like does not come in a de-caffeinated version. Up until a couple of weeks ago I have been very good and drinking only de-caffeinated (Earl Grey) tea, but I was sick two weeks ago and started to drink an Irish Breakfast blend (much stronger flavor) from Trader Joes, which I love and now I can't stop. I have been consuming 3-4 (large) cups per day. What is the downside to the caffine? What damage if any am I doing to myself or my surgery? Thanks for the help!

Caffeine causes hunger, therefore making you eat more. This is the only thing I've been told. Many successful WLS people drink it though. A lot of time also, people associate caffeine with carbonated drinks, which can bloat your stomach and expand it. I know that when I have it, say in chocolate (another bad thing) I am hungrier.

Caffeine is dehydrating! Every cup of tea with caffeine means you have to drink 2 cups of water to make up for the dehydrating effects. I was told by my surgeon that it also restricts blood flow, making your absorption rate of nutrients a little less. He said one glass of coffee a day is ok, but to up the fluids. Try maybe one cup of your tea and I tried blueberry tea and love it! They have alot of teas out there that are fantastic and caffeine free. If you want to double your fluid consumption I don't think it would kill you, but be careful and maybe talk to your doctor. Wendy

I've tried that blueberry tea... it is good.

I drink about 6 cups of tea at night. AT LEAST. I choose caffine free tea for that reason. I was a big EARL GREY fan with cream and honey in it... I used to drink that for breakfast many years ago. Now? I'm afraid to drink green tea because of the caffine. I have noticed that my weight loss increased a little when I stopped drinking so many teas (all were caffine free with the exception of high antioxidant white tea). I think, and many people say I am wrong, that because I started drinking so much tea... it stretched my pouch... You can make me believe that during those first weeks after WLS when I could only drink a sip and now when I can drink 6 cups of tea has no effect on the size of my pouch. Anyway, by the way,,, I love the irish blended teas...

The main reason to restrict caffiene is the diuretic (makes you pee) effect. If you are drinking enough water or other liquids and limit your caffeine to maybe one cup of coffee or caffienated tea you should be fine. I do drink coffee, but mainly decaf. In the morning I mix decaf with caffeinated, so it's only half-caf. I drink a lot of water (or other liquids) during the day and have had no problems with excess hunger or dehydration. But like I said, I don't consume much caffeine at all. I just love the taste of coffee, so for me it's more about the taste than the caffeine. Deb

Thanks everyone for responding to my question. I was very good this weekend and did not drink any caffeinated tea. I did notice a difference in my appetite. I did find a decaf version of the Irish Breakfast tea (Twinnings) it not as strong flavored as the caffeinated version, but will have to do. I did not notice a difference in the number I trips I made to the bathroom. Maybe I will notice today at work. Thanks again everyone! Your advice and guidance is much appreciated!

Hey, My name is Lea and I drink caffeine everyday and it doesn't bother me at all. I know everyone is different, but what I did was try it, and when it didn't bother me, i kept drinking. I do however drink Tea with aspertain, thats the only kind that I like. Anyway my advice to you is to try it, and see how it makes you feel. I have now lost 125 and feel WONDERFUL! My strategy is that if it doesn' make me feel bad and I am still losing then I can have it...........LOL

I was never told NO caffine however, was told NO carbonated drinks - -for LIFE. I was not a caffine (coffee, tea, or cola/soda) drinker before WLS so this has not been an issue for me. We know that "anything not in moderation" is too much so -- we need to limit the choices we know that aren't good choices for us (i.e. things with caffeine), however- the truth be told -- I did not drink coffee before WLS and normally may drink a cup of hot coffee at work just because it does TASTE different than bottled waters or the vanilla soy milk that I drink but I never drink more than two cups a day and normally -- not even that much. Also - -there is some AWESOME tasting sugar free tea that I've found that I like sold at Kroger's under their own house brand. They normally run sales on the product for 10 gallons for $10 (or $1 @ gallon). This tea is strong (so it may need watered down) but I find the taste GREAT and it pretty much has nothing in it besides the tea leaves and auto sweetener that has no calories, no sugar, and no caffeine. Okay - - I don't drink much tea either but when I do want a glass, I know where I can find it and it heats up as well as taste over ice. I think the big deal is for us to make good post-op WLS lifestyle choices - -not to feel that we have to do without --but seek all the options we do have so we can live long term with our new bodies. 6/13/05 Lap WLS 318/180/TBA (5'11'')