Question:
What's the big deal about caffeine?
I was just wondering about caffeine. I am 6 days away from surgery. I don't drink any kinds of soda or coffee but I do drink unsweet iced tea. Why is it that we are not supposed to have caffeine? Is it the caffeine or more the sugar that is found in these types of drinks? I don't know if I can give up my tea! — c .. (posted on June 12, 2003)
June 12, 2003
You can probably give it up (I used to practically mainline Diet Coke all
day long, and ultimately gave it up during one of my pre-op WW endeavors --
one good habit that stuck). Generally, the concern is that caffeine is a
diuretic, meaning it leaches calcium from the bones (uncool), and
dehydrates your body, which is generally not good and may hinder weight
loss. Once you're several months out, I don't see the big deal in an
occasional glass or mug of something with caffeine in it, but if it's
currently your beverage of choice over everything else (including water),
it IS a habit that'd be good to break while you'll shattering other bad
habits after surgery. Good luck!
— Suzy C.
June 12, 2003
I have been told tea has tannic (sp?) acid which hinders the absorbtion of
iron... not sure of the truth to this... I think as long as you're careful
to get in your nutrition a little tea won't hurt...just don't fill up on
tea instead of having something better nutritionally...but you know what's
right for you... by the way I drink tea... my labs come back okay so I feel
good about it...
— MF
June 12, 2003
Hi! Caffeine dehydrates you and sometimes it is difficult getting in
enough water as it is. I like to drink decaf unsweet tea with a little
sweet-n-low that way I can count it toward my daily water intake.
— Alicia K.
June 12, 2003
The reason they tell you to steer clear of caffiene is primarily for the
reason of it being a diuretic. Like the previous post said, it's hard
enough to get in the required amount of fluid. They tell you this so you
don't get dehydrated. I don't see how decaffienated iced tea would hurt
though. I have been drinking that quite a bit. Especially with the heat.
I just set my glass gallon jug with water and 4 of the Lipton Family size
decaf tea bags in the sun and a few hours later............ VOILA!! My all
time favorite, OLD FASHIONED SUN TEA! This surgery isn't meant to be a
lifetime sentence of denying all those things you love, you just have to
modify them just a little to fit in your new, healthier lifestyle :) Good
luck!
— Laurel C.
June 12, 2003
Token coffee addict here--- if you drink enough it is hydrating even though
the caffeine induces relieving of the bladder. Also, I like it b/c it's
warm, seems to help in digestion and is flavorful without carbs. From what
I've been told in the past by dieticians and nutritionists, there has been
a concern that coffee (and other caffeinated beverages) may be a trigger
for other foods (like donuts). Also, b/c too much caffeine can cause
stomach irritation, it is not advisable for someone recovering from stomach
surgery to indulge in it excessively (or at all in the early weeks). As
I'm now in my 8th month, I find that having coffee helps to curb some of my
cravings as well.
— SteveColarossi
June 12, 2003
Our nutronist says for every cup of caffeinated anything drink TWO cups of
caffeine free liquid
— bob-haller
June 12, 2003
I drink a couple of cups of coffee a day. I also don't get in all the water
I'm supposed to. BUT I do eat fruit and use milk in a lot of my foods. It
didn't stop me from getting to goal and I feel fine. So far my bloodwork
has all been normal. I read a study that said you could count ALL the
liquid in your diet (foods and caffeinated beverages included) towards your
64 oz requirement. I don't know how scientifically accurate that is, but I
DO know that so far it hasn't caused a big problem for ME. If you aren't
achieving your goals, whether they are weight or health or mental
wellbeing, you might consider cutting out the caffeine entirely. Until
then, I say all things in moderation!
— ctyst
June 12, 2003
A question about caffeine was asked Tuesday at my surgeons support group
meeting and one of his reasons for advising against caffeine is because of
it's stimulant effects. He said that it stimiulates the intestinal tract
and food can move through faster and then you can get hungry sooner than
you normally would. The nutritionist at the meeting also mentioned it
being a diuretic which might not be the best thing to have when being well
hydrated after the surgery can be an issue to begin with.
— AuntieT
June 12, 2003
I ditto Bob Haller on this one! I'll drink the sugar-free caramel latte
w/sf caramel syrup (it's truly addicting)and sprinkled nuts once per
month...YYUUMMYY!!Then I'll have to drink anywhere from 16-32 ounces of
water (in additonal to my regular 64ozs).
Hadiyah, a.k.a.
— yourdivaness
June 12, 2003
caffiene (sp) is a known appetite stimulant and it also draws the calcuim
out of your bones.
— Delores S.
June 12, 2003
I asked my doc the same thing, and he told me the caffine inhibits
absorption of calcium, and can later add to or create osteoporosis. I drink
caffine tea now, although there's nothing like a glass of cold sweet
luzianne tea.
— mellyhudel
June 12, 2003
My surgeon says that caffeine is bad because it stimulates the appetite,
causes dehydration and prevents absorption of calcium. Quite a few reasons
to avoid it. Why don't you drink decaffeinated tea? Did you know that
most restaurants use decaf tea for their iced tea because so many people
are trying to avoid caffeine?
— Patty_Butler
June 12, 2003
— [Deactivated Member]
June 12, 2003
Well, I wondered this same thing. I too, LOVE iced tea. I asked my surgeon
WHY? and he told me that it was because the caffeine could cause stomach
ulcers. I figured if that is true and I am working with just a small
pouch, I didnt need ulcers in it. I guess noone else has been told this
because more are talking about the diruetic effect it has on our systems.
My Dr. also said that is true. I wonder if anyone else has ever heard of
it causing ulcers? I do miss my iced tea.....Hmmmmmmm.....
— [Deactivated Member]
June 12, 2003
I love my tea too! I didn't give it up - I just switched to decaf tea. I
brew my own and take it with me. I can't taste the difference. Also, a
lot of your flavored teas are decaf as well. Continue to enjoy your tea,
only decaf!
— adeas
June 13, 2003
It is my understanding that caffeine can block the absorption of some
vitamins, like the before-mentioned calcium.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 13, 2003
Caffeine interferes with the absorption of some vitamins and it stimulates
hunger. Don't need any of that!
— Cathy S.
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