Why aren't herbal teas allowed before surgery?

Hey guys, sorry for all of the questions.

I was re-reading my instructions for surgery and it says I have to quit my vitamins, supplements, and herbal teas for 14 days before surgery (meaning tomorrow is my last day).  I can understand the vitamins and supplements, but does anyone know why herbal tea is banned?

I just discovered a lovely peppermint tea today too.  Oh well.

Any ideas of any hot sugar free beverages that I could have in lieu of tea?  I can't have decaf coffee because I can't stomach it without milk.

I can have broth, thank goodness, but was wondering if there's anything else that I might be able to have. It's so cold, I just need something warm in the morning when i get up.

Thanks,

Kathy

I believe that some vitamin and herbal teas thin your blood which is something you don't want before you have surgery - more bleeding!

Oh, that makes sense.  Thanks for explaining.

I'm at Toronto Western - and I can have green, herbal or white tea - it's in my book - I don't see anything saying i can't.

Strange that depending on where your surgery is - dictates what you can and can't do on Optifast.

I know some centres allow certain vegetables - but not me - I get broth, tea, jello, water...lol

It is weird how different they all are!  I'm allowed 2 cups of green veggies per day, broth, sugar free drinks, but no jello.

I love my 2 cups of green veggies per day.  I've been heating green pepper and celery in the frying pan, no oil or anything, and adding different seasoning spices.  It's so nice to get to eat something warm. 

How are you doing?

I am craving something crunchy to chew on...lol but I have less than a week to go now - and I will make it through :)

Although the Slimtime shakes are good - I am getting sick of them...lol

down 10.2 lbs today

hard to believe that a week from now - I will be waking up in the hospital beginning my road to a brand new healthy me!

1 more week for you, and 2 more weeks for me!  Can you believe it?  I can't.  I sometimes get afraid that something will happen to prevent my surgery but then I stop that thought in it's tracks, lol.

Congrats on the 10.2 Ib weight loss; that's great!

Today is day 7 of Opti for me, and I'm down 6 Ibs in one week. 

The week is going to fly by for you and you'll be on the loser's bench before you know it!

That's awesome! I'm on day 7 and am starting to get sick of the shakes but just one more week to go. I'm down 8 lbs.

8 Ibs; that's great!   You're so lucky you only have to do this for 1 more week; you're half way there!  I'm looking forward to day 10.5 when I can say I'm half way there, lol.  Day 8 for me today.  Drinking a vanilla shake as I type, lol.

Try using some vanilla Opti as a creamer in your coffee and see if that's tolerable.