Question:
CAN I SUB. COFFEE AND OTHER LIQUIDS FOR H2O ?

   — joe R. (posted on August 9, 2003)

August 9, 2003
Yes you can. Anything you drink is considered to count towards your liquid intake for the day. Even if it is broth that you are drinking-that goes towards your liquid. Good luck!!
   — Michelle M.

August 9, 2003
Yes other things are acceptable as long as there is NO caffine, that will dehydrate you further, so decafe coffee & tea are OK!
   — Saxbyd

August 9, 2003
Just don't count your protein shakes as liquid, okay? You'd be cheating yourself that way. Try to stay away from caff. beverages, too... as much as you can, okay? Why? Because caffiene is an apetite stimulant, and WE don't need any of that!! LOL! Good luck!
   — Sharon M. B.

August 9, 2003
The nutritionist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania says that the liquid in the protein shakes *can* be counted towards your liquid requirement for the day. You can also count the water content in things such as watermelon and count things like sugar-free popsicles towards your requirements. <p> At our support group meeting today, we talked about caffeine. HUP discourages the caffeine consumption in the early post-op period because it *is* a mild diuretic (although I have read elsewhere that it only has this effect in people who do not consume caffeine on a regular basis) and since new posties have trouble getting their liquids in anyhow, you don't want to risk dehydration by introducing diuretics into the mix. On a personal note, I've been on lasix for a few years - which has a greater diuretic effect than caffeine and have not had any problems with hydration either pre-op or post-op...JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -185 pounds)
   — John Rushton

August 9, 2003
My surgeon and nutritionist say that any non caffinated liquids are fine, as are jello, protein shakes, ice pops, etc.. The caffiene is a diuretic, and since we eat so little, and food is also a big source of liquid in our diet, it is not reccommended that we risk dehydration with caffiene. I am sure though, that the caffiene affects everyone differently. I would follow your doctor's advice.
   — Fixnmyself

August 9, 2003
My dietitian said I cannot count anything with caffeine (or alcohol) in it, and should not drink anything with caffeine (or alcohol) in it for at least six months post-op. Noncaffeinated beverages count, but milk can only count as half (8 ounces of milk counts as four liquid--I'm not sure why). She also told me to avoid drinks with sugar (cut fruit juices with water, etc.) and with carbonation. Water, Crystal Light, sugar-free Kool-Aid, sugar-free popsicles, protein drinks made with water, decaf coffee, decaf tea and soy coffee substitute all count fully as liquid intake in her book.
   — Vespa R.

August 10, 2003
Yes, caffeine is the biggest culprit. (I fainted on the train at 10 months post-op due to dehydration from drinking tea & coffee only.) Steer clear of caffeine drinks and you'll do fine. My surgeon also says that his patients who have the least amount of success are the ones that drink caloric drinks. So watch out for the calories too! Lisa open rny 4/26/02 -151lbs
   — LisaTaz