Question:
Can you really never have caffiene again?
Hi! I am considering lap band surgery & have my first appointment in October. My insurance has already approved everything. I have been reading the Q & A for a couple of weeks. My questions are really trivial. Is it true that you can NEVER drink caffiene again and NEVER have spicy food again? These are my 2 greatest weaknesses. Please help. These 2 minor things are really bothering me. I would really appreciate any & all help. Thanks!!! — jztandy (posted on September 2, 2008)
September 2, 2008
Both assumptions are incorrect. Caffein is not good for several months, at
least six, but you can eventually work bact to it. The spicy food will not
hurt you once you get to reg foods. No mattere how hot, once the pouch is
healed, it does not hurt. Lyn
— SkinnyLynni2B
September 2, 2008
oops, may be the wrong answers...you are having lap band, I had lap rny.
Not sure of those answers but would still think they would hold. Lyn
— SkinnyLynni2B
September 2, 2008
I was banded on 7/7/08 and I drink my coffee every morning and I still
enjoy spicy food. With the lapband, there are really no dietary
restrictions after your 6 week post-op period as long as the food will pass
through your band (I have trouble with doughy bread & white meat dry
chicken) I have had two fills and have restriction. At first you will
not.
If you enjoy coffee and spice, as I do, just make sure to get 8-10 glasses
of water a day. I always do to prevent dehydration. Good Luck!
— barb12590
September 2, 2008
I had rny and had caffeine right from the beginning...I tried it and it
didn't bother me so I figured it was a way to get in liquid.
Once I was on regular food I also tried spicy...no problem. I can even
drink carbonated drinks without any problems but almost never do because I
don't crave them.
Just remember, everyone is different. What some can do and still lose
weight and tolerate, others can't.
— cjjordan
September 2, 2008
I stayed away from Caffiene for a while after my lap band, but just could
not get used to decaf coffee. I do have one cup of regular coffee in the
morning.. but I do limit my caffiene other than that. It' s not so much
that caffiene causes problems with lap band.. caffiene prevents the uptake
of calcium by the body and you need calcium to lose weight. I'm a year out
from my lapband and have lost just over 100 lbs.. so my one cup of coffee
in the morning doesn't seem to have hurt too badly. I don't drink soda at
all though. I probably could, but the carbonation can push food through the
band faster and that makes you hungry sooner and I have heard it can cause
your pouch to enlarge possilby. So I do stay away from soda.. I drink lots
of bottled water. Spicy food I don't know about.. I would think it's more
what it is. I do really well with chicken.. also do well with ground
turkey. I don't do so well with red meat.. too much gristle or I don't chew
it up well enough or something. So if you are trying to eat something
spicy.. I would think it's not the spice but what the spice is on that is
more important.
I am really happy that I got lapband though. I was in a wheelchair full
time due to knee problems and could not walk.. that put a real crimp in my
trying ot exercise! LOL. But I lost weight, got my knees operated on.. I've
lost just over 100 lbs in a year, am walking and even went camping last
weekend! I would not have believed that was possible a year ago!
— Maggie E.
September 2, 2008
I am three years out and was never told to give up either ....the only
thing I was told to do was never ever ever drink carbonation of
anykind....no matter if someone says they do or says you can...DON'T DO
IT....it can overtime expand your pouch...cause dilation......cause band
corresion....other than that my Dr told me I could eat anything my band
would let me eat.......another site you might wnat to check out is Yahoo
Groups ...type in bandbuddies...they are a great group...have a Moderator
that is a WLS nurse...just check them out...another good group that deals
just with Lap-band.
— pphillips4720aol.com
September 2, 2008
I agree with Lyn. I was advised not to drink caffeine, but not as a
"never." Nothing has ever been said about spicy foods, which is
good, because I live in an area of the US where we love our chiles, red and
green.
dana
— jujuprof
September 2, 2008
Lap Band is different that RNY. What is not acceptable for RNY is OK for
Lap Band. I have not had any problems with coffee right from the first 4
weeks out. I even mix the cold coffee with my chocolate protein mix for a
mocha drink. The spicy foods are good if you can tolerate them but I would
hold off on that for at least 3 months to see how you do with the spicy
food. You may not be able to tolerate that type of food. Each person is
different and what use to taste good now doesn't have the same appeal for
you. good luck with the Lap Band. I love it and would not have chosen
anything else for me.
— susangielda06
September 2, 2008
Hey there! Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I recently just had lapband
last tuesday but I also had these simple questions that meant alot to me.
The carbonated drink question was a tough one for me to hear too. My doctor
was definetly against ever adding these to your new lifestyle. This was
hard news to swallow because I love my diet pepsi and I dont drink coffee
or tea. I have heard ppl say that its okay to add this in the future but I
would not recommend it after doing research. As far as spicy foods, NO
worries there. As soon as you can have solid foods you can have any spices.
In fact I had the same question. This is the first day I was able to eat
creamy soup and I ate a creamy mexican tortilla soup ( drained the yummy
chunks of course) with no problem
I will tell you everyone is different and ultimately the decision about
what you put in your body is all yours. I know its not easy to always make
the right decision but its necessary to do our very best to get the most
benefit out of our new tool. I am only one week out and maybe not as
knowledgeable as others but I can sympathize with all the thoughts and
questions you are having and I want you to know I feel great about the
decision I made. If you want to talk more, feel free to message me anytime.
— trbccowan
September 2, 2008
Wastoldtowait 30 days so it is not to bad.
— William (Bill) wmil
September 2, 2008
Welcome to the band! I was banded 9/12/07. I have lost almost 100 lbs., I
have 2 cups of coffee every am. I find hot liquid helps with any pills you
may have to take. Salsa has been fine- it's a good choice as condiments
go, I use it to liven up fish etc. Good luck with everything! Marlayna
— MWiley
September 2, 2008
I HAD OPEN RNY BACK IN 2002 AND TODAY I STILL DRINK MY CAFFIENE COFFEE.
— deb44m
September 2, 2008
I am almost 17 months out from bypass. I eat spicy foods however, I do not
do any caffine. since caffine is something that slows down your weight loss
it is good to avoid it. also since liquid is a problem and caffine keeps
the liquids out of your body it is best to avoid caffine.
— Alvernlaw
September 2, 2008
Gosh I hope not as I sit here on my second cup for the day.
I was banded on 8/22/08 and still am on full liquids but my dr said I could
have coffee.... so I am and I haven't had any problems. Spicy food sounds
so good as do any solids... I am not sure on that one- but I think I'll
re-introduce them slowly and see what happens! Good Luck to you!!!
— munchiesmama
September 2, 2008
you can have caffiene -- just keep it low -- caffiene will make you hungry
and it will also dehydrate you -- so you can have your coffee BUT also
drink your water :) and spicy food???? dam i love my hot wings HOT -- the
hotter the better!!!! and not a problem -- but everyone is different -- you
might lose your taste for some foods -- good luck to you :) take care
— RCassety
September 3, 2008
I'm hiding my coffee behind my back here! :)
My insurance told me the same thing. That's bypass information but that's
what some of them teach. I have found that I've been getting a little
heartburn when I'm eating stuff that is too spicy but I don't normally. I
drink my morning coffee with the best of them. I've even heard of people
drinking those energy drinks. Just start out careful AFTER the healing
period and see how your body likes it. No soda though because that can
stretch your pouch.
Good luck.
— VickiJ
September 3, 2008
There's nothing that you can never have again. Moderation is key.
— Lauren003
September 3, 2008
Well I'm glad I never knew that, because I lived in Mexico when I was a
child and Louisiana for most of my adult life. I drank tea and dark roast
Louisiana style coffee (no Chicory) from my first day home. I eat Jalapeno
peppers and cayenne pepper in almost everything I eat. Love Salsa too. I
find tomatoes are very soothing and help the meat be more uncomfortable.
The things that get me are peanut butter, eggs, fatty foods like wieners,
etc. I have tolerated fried catfish, sugar doesn't bother me, (I choose
not to eat it) and actually, though things taste differently to me now, I
can eat about anything I wish. I know to eat my protein first and limit
white carbs, but it's all good. Carbonated beverages like diet Mountain
Dew I avoid until I let the fizz diminish till it's an afterthought. By
the way I had my RNY on July second 2008. I thought the same things and
you will find some things you will have to change, but everyone is
different in what they can tolerate. You just have to use some common sense
and do what is right and good for your body.
— Dusty Ray Vaughn
September 3, 2008
Where did you get this information, neither one is true that I know of.
Caffeine is discouraged as part of a healthier lifestyle. I have never
heard about no spicy food either. You may or not be able to tolerate it
after surgery as tastes and tolerances do change some. Perhaps you are
confusing the no diet soda rule with caffeine? I don't know. I had
LapBand over 2 years ago and haven't heard of those rules before.
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
September 4, 2008
I drink caffinated coffee and eat most of the things (including spicy
foods) I was eating prior to RNY surgery in 7/2006 and have had successful
weight loss. The difference is that now it's done in moderation. None of
this was the case though until my honeymoon period was over (about 6 -7
months post surgery). You should adhere VERY closely to the dietary rules
set for you for the first several months after your surgery. That's when
you will lose most of your excess weight -- but only if you do not cheat in
that period. Afterward, the habits you've established for yourself during
the honeymoon period will help you to eat in moderation for the rest of
your life.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 7, 2008
It's not true especially w/lapband. With RNY everyones different, but in
my case, I waited till I was 4 months out and had a cup of coffee and had
absolutely no reaction at all. I can have cafine anytime and it doesn't
bother me. I am now 6 mos. post-op and have lost 85 lbs. Paula B.
— paulajaneb
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