Caffeine or No Caffeine: A Poll

Stacie, You're an excellent example of how to work the tool and be a success! I, too, find caffeine to be my vice, so to speak. And as I have said...I believe it helps suppress my appetite and helped weight loss. Keep up the good work, kiddo. How's the new job going? Hugs, Karen

job is awesome thanks karen!!!!! talk about perfect example YOU ARE  your so inspiring to others on the board and especially to me !!!!!!! i hope to get to the next meeting talk soon

No caffeine here since Jan 2007. I gave it up at my first surgeon's consult and haven't looked back! I was a 2-pot-a-day drinker (hehehhe, hence, my username!), but honestly, just to have something warm in my hands as I always seem to run cold. I did have a mild headache for a day or two, but that was it. I did find it was a total bladder irritant and had me not only running to the bathroom a lot, but leaking as well! At 43, I didn't want to have to wear Stayfree all the time! (TMI???)  When I gave up the caffeine, the difference was instantaneous! I will never go back to caffeine! Weird thing is...I still loved the flavor of coffee until about a month after my surgery and now I can't stand it! And I have been a coffee-drinker for years! So we are into decaf tea at our house now. Did it help or hinder wt loss? Well, I honestly think I got more fluids in as I had a cup in my hands all the time, but other than that, I would say no.

Prior to my WLS, I drank so much coffee and tea, I could have been hooked up to an IV and probably not gotten as much in my body as I drank. After surgery, the taste of coffee didn't appeal to me (which was a great shock).  My tastes did a 180 and a lot of things that I liked didn't sit well, not that they got me nauseas, I just couldn't wrap myself around eating/drinking them.  I did drink a cup of tea every morning (I'm half English and half Irish, tea is like mother's milk).  But eventually, I think about the 9th or 10th month, I had a cup of coffee somewhere and little by little, I started drinking it again.  Normally, I drink either a cup of tea before I leave for work, or I drink a cup of coffee on my way or at work. While I was on vacation, I got into capuccino.  I've been working at breaking that habit, but I also work it into my daily food journal/calorie count.  I'd like to cut it out simply because it is so addictive and expensive rather than because of the nutrition and caffeine involved. The only bad thing I can say is that I don't always drink enough water to compensate, but I have trouble with all my water anyway, so it's a constant struggle for me. Take care, Sue

Hello Darlings, It's been, yet again, a Jewish holiday (Sukkot) -- so I haven't been in touch. Karen, great topic!  I was feeling guilty about starting my day w/a small iced hazelnut cofee (used to be a medium!****il, EVEN THOUGH OUR NUT IS AGAINST IT, Dr. G. said up to 16 oz a day is o.k. Yeessss!   He allows Diet Snapple; she's against it.  I love it when she "rolls her eyes" at him! I really enjoy it; I don't know what I'll do when iced coffee goes into hybernation for the winter.  Of course I can make it @ home, but I love buying it on the way to work.   I don't think it affects my weight loss--I didn't have it for the first month, and my weight loss has been @ the same slow & stead rate all along. Also, my job has been stressful to the point of looking for another one soon, and the coffee helps me gird myself against the day. xoxox,

There is also research that says caffiene can stimulate appetite (differnt response for different individuals I suppose), it is the gastric irritant/possible ulcer forming effects that concern me the most w/ WLSers with small pouch, have I had caffeine yes maybe 6 cups in past 5 yrs, but I love decaf or herbal teas, I never drank coffee/soda thankfully. SO not such an issue for myslef, has it effected wt loss? Not that I am aware of....I can say caffeine has many effects +/-  In my profession I have concerns about caffeine in a behavioral health sense *different then you are asking here. Sometimes what one puts in the coffee may effect wt loss (ever measure the amount of half and half or creamer?) Sometimes it is enormous, others drink it black or w/ skim milk...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine Overuse

In large amounts, and especially over extended periods of time, caffeine can lead to a condition known as caffeinism.^[56][57] Caffeinism usually combines caffeine dependency with a wide range of unpleasant physical and mental conditions including nervousness, irritability, anxiety, tremulousness, muscle twitching (hyperreflexia), insomnia, headaches, respiratory alkalosis^[58] and heart palpitations.^[59] Furthermore, because caffeine increases the production of stomach acid, high usage over time can lead to peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.^[60] However, since both "regular" and decaffeinated coffees have been shown to stimulate the gastric mucosa and increase stomach acid secretion, caffeine is probably not the sole component of coffee responsible.^[61]

http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/15732884 Caffeine and psychiatric symptoms: a review

J Okla State Med Assoc.  2004; 97(12):538-42 (ISSN: 0030-1876)

 

Broderick P ; Benjamin AB University of Oklahoma , 2312 North Indiana Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106 , . Caffeine is a widely used psychoactive substance that has the potential to contribute to many psychiatric symptoms. This review article aims to address the specific research studies and case reports that relate caffeine to psychiatric symptoms. Caffeine can cause anxiety symptoms in normal individuals, especially in vulnerable patients, like those with pre-existing anxiety disorders. Caffeine use is also associated with symptoms of depression due to either a self-medication theory, or a theory that caffeine itself causes changes in mood. Psychosis can be induced in normal individuals ingesting caffeine at toxic doses, and psychotic symptoms can also be worsened in schizophrenic patients using caffeine. Sleep and symptoms of ADHD may be altered by caffeine as well. Prevention of caffeine-induced psychiatric symptoms is possible by recognizing, educating, and treating patients using a tapering approach.

 

·        http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/16206866?prt=true

     Caffeine and psychiatric medication interactions: a review. J Okla State Med Assoc.  2005; 98(8):380-4 (ISSN: 0030-1876)Broderick PJ ; Benjamin AB ; Dennis LW University of Oklahoma, USA. Caffeine can cause or worsen psychiatric symptoms but also has the potential to interact with many psychiatric medications. This article provides a literature review regarding interactions between caffeine and psychiatric medications. Caffeine is metabolized by the CYP1A2 enzyme and also acts as a competitive inhibitor of this enzyme. Thus, caffeine can interact with a wide range of psychiatric medications, including antidepressant agents, antipsychotic agents, antimanic agents, antianxiety agents, and sedative agents. These interactions may lead to caffeine-related or medication-related side effects that may complicate psychiatric treatment. By recognizing this potential, along with educating the patient, and utilizing a tapering approach, prevention of caffeine interactions is achievable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I recommend people do their research and make an educated and informed decision for themselves.  Some may feel it effects wt loss/gain but decide they still want to dirnk it and thats ok for them as well. I am all about risk reduction harm reduction...

I have pretty much stuck to avoiding caffeine since my surgery.  It really dehydrates the hell out of me and I go to the restroom more than I'd like.  With the kind of work I do, this is not convenient so, I just don't have it.  On ocassion, I've had regular coffee but it is rare so, don't think it has affected my weight loss.

I switched to DeCaf right after surgery and have never looked back.  For me, Decaf tastes the same and the risk of ulcers is not worth drinking high test.  If I am out and that is all they have to offer, I will drink it but I find I have hyper recation to it now.... L

Hi Karen,

Caffeine may increase your body's ability to burn calories. Caffeine is thought to stimulate thermogenesis — one way your body generates heat and energy from digesting food. However, caffeine's role in thermogenesis probably isn't enough to result in significant weight loss.

Caffeine acts as a diuretic, which means it causes an increase in the amount of urine you excrete. This water loss may temporarily decrease your body weight.

After reading everyone's posts I thought ok time to see if there is a difference.  I have been stuck for a week going up and down a lb.  So what the heck right?  I decided to have a large cup of caffinated coffee.  Of course I was feeling mighty chatty afterward!  I didn't notice that it suppressed my appetite maybe just for a bit but it did jump start things for me.  I went out to dinner last night and ate my normal portion I would say and then had my snack last night.  I was actually afraid I might have eaten too much.  Got on the scale this morning and I was down 3 lbs.  I did notice I urinated more and I did drink more liquids yesterday.  I think the coffee stimulated several responses in me.  Soooooo will I continue to drink it?? maybe for a few days here and see what happens.   I'm excited the loss!  Thanks for asking the questions.. its helpful Sandra