Question:
WHY IS CAFFIENE SO BAD ?

I AM 7 WEEKS POST OP AND I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BIG DEAL IS, OF NOT DRINKING CAFFIENATED BEVERAGES. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN.    — Sherry S. (posted on March 20, 2002)

March 19, 2002
Hi, and welcome to the other side. Caffeine is the enemy because it stimulates hunger. It can cause your body to think you are always hungry. Which is a bad thing with this surgery!!!!!! Trust me the first couple of months were rough, but now I just don't want pop. I used to drink a case of pepsi every two days. I loved pop, Now I drink crystal light, and sf koolaid, it has been 5 months out and I just don't hanker for pop or coffee or anything like that anymore. I look at it like this. Caffeine can't count as your fluid intake, so why bother when I have a hard enough time getting in what I am supposed to, to start with. Good luck and god bless. OPEN RNY OCT 4,2001 at BTC in Columbus Ohio down 73 lbs and counting. YEAH!!!!!!
   — TONYA B.

March 19, 2002
HI MY DIETICIAN SAID THAT CAFFINE ALSO DEHYRATES(SP) YOUR BODY.
   — paulsgirl

March 19, 2002
Caffeine is definitely the de-hydrator! I have read that IF you do drink anything with caffeine, that you must drink that much more in water to make up for what the caffeine steals.
   — Cheri M.

March 19, 2002
Yeah, yeah. I know the other posters are right. But truth be told I drink coffee. No sodas, little tea, but always 1-3 cups of coffee a day. I don't think it makes me any hungrier personally--actually helps me if I "want" something but it is not time to eat I have a cup of coffee and it satisfies me. If you can stop drinking caffeine, great. But if you can't, I don't think it is the end of the world.
   — ctyst

March 19, 2002
Caffeine is a diuretic, so it pulls the water out of your body. I don't know about it making you hungrier, but since you need to get in 64 ounces of water a day, you should try to avoid it since it is counter-productive to getting all your water in. If you do drink caffeine, you need to drink extra water to make up for it.
   — garw

March 20, 2002
I haven't completely given up caffeine. I have about one cup each morning. What I do though, is I drink a huge glass of water while the coffee is brewing to get the extra water in. It works for me.
   — Donna L.

March 20, 2002
I have also heard caffeine holds fat in the body. Here is what I found from the net:<br><br>"Caffeine has many effects on the body, starting with the effects on the brain. Adenosine is a substance used to balance neurotransmitters. When caffeine binds with the adenosine receptors in the brain it acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system by altering messages delivered by adenosine receptors. It alters the functioning of blood vessels in the head and all muscles in the body. However, people are not bothered by it. They enjoy the boost they get in their physical performance. Others use it as an appetite suppressant or as a laxative. Although caffeine acts as a mild and harmless diuretic, excessive levels of caffeine consumption could lead to dehydration. Caffeine can also cause relaxation and cause certain types of blood vessels to open. Habitual use however, in certain people poses some unfavorable side effects such as irritability, restlessness, tension and insomnia. There is no solid evidence that moderate caffeine consumption has links to indicate a risk factor for any type of cancer, cardiovascular disease or decreased fertility in women. In 1987 the FDA affirmed that caffeine, in moderate quantities, has no adverse effects in humans. However, studies have shown that caffeine can cause high blood pressure and increase heart rate. Many of us do not actually realize our caffeine intake during the day. Some of us drink coffee in the morning and sodas throughout the day, not to mention a piece of chocolate here and there. It could take all day and part of the night for your body to get rid of the caffeine in your system. The half-life of caffeine is about 4-5 hours. That means it takes about 5 hours to get rid of half the dose. A dose of caffeine in a 6oz. cup of coffee is about 100 milligrams. Doses vary in tea, chocolate, headache medicine and other sources. So it will take about 10-12 hours for your body to dispose of the caffeine. Caffeine can be addicting depending on the levels of consumption and on the individual. People that become addicted to caffeine have to maintain a certain level of caffeine circulating through their system to avoid caffeine withdrawal. Caffeine withdrawals are signs of addiction. When the level of caffeine drops symptoms begin to occur, such as headaches, depression, fatigue, and drowsiness. In order to avoid these physical and psychological symptoms people will continue with high consumption of caffeine that may even irritate their stomach. The best way to cut down on caffeine consumption whether is as tea, coffee, soda or chocolate is to keep tabs on the intake amount. Even though the symptoms only last a few days it is a good idea to gradually reduce the intake of caffeine."
   — [Deactivated Member]