Question:
WHY DO THEY ASK YOU TO QUIT CAFFEINE??? THE TRUE REASON???
— deedee M. (posted on March 24, 2002)
March 24, 2002
Caffeine is a diuretic, it will dehydrate you.
— Laureen59
March 24, 2002
Caffeine is also an appetite stimulant.
— Candace F.
March 24, 2002
If you are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, you may want to cut
back on caffeine. A recent study I read revealed that ingesting as little
as a coffee cup's worth of caffeine may temporarily harden the arteries.
Researchers speculate that, over time, the repeated arterial strain could
increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain people. Both my
surgeons Dr. Husted and Dr. Arch Miller, highly suggested to I STOP all
forms of caffeine prior to surgery matter of fact it was insisted upon..
for many reasons.. caffeine intake can lead to a fast heart rate, diuresis
(excessive excretion of fluids), nausea and vomiting, restlessness,
anxiety, depression, tremors, and difficulty sleeping. So all very good
reasons to stop Caffeine. The effect of caffeine on health has been widely
studied. In particular, the effects of caffeine on fibrocystic breast
disease, cardiovascular disease, birth defects, reproductive function, and
behavior in children has been closely examined.
— Victoria B.
March 24, 2002
Another reason to stop your cafeine is to prevent cafeine withdrawal
headaches in the hospital. You most likely will be there three days with
no cafeine. I just "crossed over" and I was waking up from naps
with the worse headaches. I have sleep apnea and I thought it might have
been from that, but usually oxygen takes care of that and I was even
getting the severe, pounding headaches while I was on oxygen. Finally, on
the day home I read where my nutrionist advised against cutting back
cafeine. I never did and would probably drink one or two cafeine beverages
in a day. I bought a diet snapple Iced Tea and drank it little by little.
Finally, later that night I was waking up with no headaches!
— Lisa N M.
March 24, 2002
Hi DeeDee,My doctor told me the reason for not using caffeine prior to
surgery was because after surgery I would be drinking decaf and some people
get withdrawal from it. He
also said the caffeine is a diuretic and when we first have surgery it's
hard enough to get all your fluids in let alone
keeping your body hydrated. Once I was put on my regular diet I was allowed
to drink reg. coffee again.
— Connie Z.
March 24, 2002
My doc didn't tell me, so on top of the pain of open RNY I had the caffeine
headache from hell! My advice, Quit the caffeine now, it will dehydrate
you, plus you'll have to d/c it after surgery anyway so you can get all the
water in. Love, Donna in AL
— Donna S. C.
March 24, 2002
All good reasons to withdraw from caffeine now. I've never been a coffee
addict, but I understand that getting off it is easier if done gradually.
Say instead of 4 cups of coffee, cut back to three. A week later, drop it
to two, etc. The caffeine headaches are murder from what I understand. I
have a good friend who periodically decides to quit drinking so much
coffee, so that's where I'm getting my information.
— garw
March 24, 2002
Several other posters were right. Caffeine is a DIURETIC. That means it
stimulates you to urinate. BAD. I work so hard to get my 64oz in every day
I do NOT need help rushing it out of my system. A basic rule of thumb is
this: If you drink a beverage with caffeine, count only half of it as your
liquid. Example: 20 oz of regular tea should count for 10 oz of your daily
fluid intake. I wouldn't go crazy with the caffeine though, it also
stimulates your heart and increases your appetite. Good luck! PS- Read
labels carefully, some things that say "caffeine free" have
traces of caffeine.
— Paula Prichard
March 25, 2002
Hi!!! I wasn't told to stop drinking caffeine by my doctor prior to surgery
and MAN did I suffer from caffeine withdrawl!!! NEVER in my entire life had
I ever had a headache like that!!! The morphine didn't help at all!! My
head was pounding for 4 days. I no longer drink sodas,not even diet. 1/2 of
cup of coffee now in the morning after 3 months. Decaff green tea and
sleeply time tea is excellent. I love my coffee in the morning but in
moderation. Best of Luck.
— Laura G.
March 26, 2002
I was simply told by my doc and my dietician that caffeine stimulates your
appetite and makes you feel more hungry, and you end up overeating or
eating the wrong foods. It was enough for me to stop drinking caffeine!
Diet Pepsi was HARD to give up after a thirty year indulgence... but, it
was worth it! I just can't wait until I can have a diet sprite again!! lol
— Sharon H.
October 6, 2002
Caffeine not only stimulates the appetite but it causes water retention.
They say that if you drink 12 ounces of caffeinated coffee or soda, that
only 6 oz. count as your daily fluid intake.
— Lynette B.
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