Caffeine Elmination

My dietician asked me to cut out all caffeine pre-op, so I started today. So far so good (knocks on wood, errr...laminate...for good measure).

But, how many days does it take to be considered caffeine free? And, are there any items you have found to have caffeine hidden in them that surprised you? Crap, I just realized this probably meant more than my coffee addiction, huh?! Like chocolate. Not a big deal as I should cut that out anyhow, but it does have caffeine in it, right? TIA peeps!!!

Yup...chocolate is loaded with caffeine....sorry! I miss my chocolate sometimes too. Hugs, connie d

This one was a hard one for me.  I was addicted to Diet Coke really bad!!   I too started to go off of it before WLS and it really wasn't too bad after a while.  I did go through a bit of headaches and witdrawl type symptoms.  I just recently have tried soda again 9 months out and have seen that it could be very easy for me get hooked again which I don't want at all.  So, I am trying real hard not even to take those little drinks here and there.    Good luck!!

I have given up caffeine too.  (Part of the preparation.....)  I have gone without for six months!  And much to my surprise, I survived.  LOL.  I actually had a sip of my hubby's diet pepsi the other day and it tasted FOUL!!!    I  couldn't believe it.  I used to ADDICTED to it.  Simply amazing.  I hope this happens for you too!!! 

Dont use my example but I drank it till two days before and about 2 weeks after.

Gave up my coffee and Diet Coke about 2 months prior to surgery and got the java back 2 weeks after surgery if I promised to drink additional water to make up for the coffee I drink.  Couldn't make it without my coffee.  It was the only thing I truly missed.  Diet coke tastes nasty now.  I used it last week to unclog a Tylenol that got stuck.  Worked like a charm!  Iknow...  I know...  TMI. Bonnie

I feel your pain, I am trying to do that too although I could never do it cold turkey. I am giving myself till the end of the week. I am absolutely addicted to Diet Mountain Dew. If they could put it in the IV after my surgery I would be thrilled! I don't think it is the caffeine for me as much as I love the bubbles! This will be the hardest for me by far. Good Luck.

I was seriously addicted to diet coke before surgery-  about 6 cans a day.  i went COLD TURKEY...  I have not had any liquid caffeine since 5/11/2006....around 12 noon. I don't miss it but as you can tell I do still romanize about it. During the liquid diet-   I would have sold my car for a DIET COKE. ...honestly. .  I have had a sip once since wls and know that I could go back in an instant so never drink pop or coffee.  I have the occasional herbal tea.  I don't have a problem with dumping so enjoy chocolate more than I should but no pop or coffee-  I am too afraid that I would never stop! Good luck with  detox!  

I just quit 2 weeks ago.. At the beginning of December I was drinking between 9 and 12 cans of diet coke a day. I did cut back slowly. I went down to 6 cans a day did that for a few days, then I went down 1 can every 3 or 4 days. I had a headache the day after I quit. I took some tylenol and it worked great. I would make myself drink a 20oz bottle of water between the cans. This was seriously harder then when I quit smoking 2 weeks before that... GOOD LUCK!!!!

Thank you all.