Caffeine question...

[Mbenson5]

I admit, I am ADDICTED to coffee...my surgery is 6/13 and I'm concerned about serious withdrawl and headaches on top of everything else if I don't wean myself off. Did anyone else have this problem and how close to your surgery did you have to start backing off? I have a fast-paced job and need the energy...(I work with kids) lol Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[robin34]

I was a caffine addict too! My surgery is not until the end of June so I have started making some of those changes NOW! First thing I did was cut out my diet sodas. I loved Diet Pepsi Max..full of caffine... so that was the hardest for me. I ended up having 3 the first week...the 2nd week....i took a swig of a diet pepsi that I had left in my mom's frig and then poured the rest of it out. I did not totally cut out sweet tea yet, but I have not had any this week.....ice water with lemon is my fav...somtimes, I put just half a packet of splenda in it and it helps. I am totally over the caffine withdrawals...I have a high pressure job that I really thought I needed the caffine, but I really have not noticed a difference. This next week's challenge is not drinking at all while I'm eating. Tried it at lunch yesterday and I was amazed at how full I felt sooner. I had a plate of spaghetti w/ meat sauce from olive garden and breadsticks. Normally, I would have eaten EVERY drop of it but I got about 1/4 of the plate of spaghetti and 1.5 breadsticks. I also felt fuller longer! So maybe I might like this not drinking while you're eating thing!!! I thought I wanted my surgery immediately but I am glad that I have these few weeks to change some bad habits that I've had over the years! Can't hardly wait for the trip to Costa Rica for surgery and recovery in the beautiful Villa Le Mas after care facility...all expenses paid by insurance, of course!

[mel3rn]

Walmart has their brand as well as Crytal light that is an energy drink mix that is sugar-free and has caffine. I mix one in the morning with water and then one in the afternoon. Does the trick for caffine. Also Muscle milk has a new flavor called Vanilla Latte' 160 cal, 16 carbs, 160mg of Caffine, and 20gm of Protien, perfect morning pick me up with protien to boot!!!!

[butterflybecca]

Yes headaches are in your future if you go cold turkey - dont' DO IT! Just cut back gradually. Ditch all soda if you drink it and try half decaf coffee for a while and take vitamin B. I gotta tell you, I'm a coffee addict too and I'm back to full blown caffeine and have been for a few months now. Not that I'm saying you'll be able to do that (big NO NO from Docs) but I have to have it! I did good when I needed to for surgery sake and now I'm back to normal. Right now is a time for sacrifice for you so you can have so much more later.

[mel3rn]

My doc never said anything about caffine. Just no carbonation.

[Slippy Chips]

I got off of caffeine about a month before the surgery. I was (and am now again) an addict who loves my coffee. The reason to come off of caffeine is twofold. 1). You can not have it while you are healing from surgery, so it is easier to recover when you don't have a caffeine withdrawals to deal with. And 2) caffeine is a diuretic an many sleevers have issues getting in enough H2O post op.

I quit slowly by switching to one can of diet Mountain Dew a day, and I would wait as late in the day as I could before drinking it. I think the whole proccess took about two weeks.

I will say once I kicked caffeine I had so much more energy throughout the day. I will also admit that I have since regained my coffee/caffeine addiction although I have not had any carbonation.

Best of luck!

[GrandmaS]

I too was (am) addicted to coffee. I quit my carbonated beverages about 9 months prior to surgery and began drinking Crystal Light. Then about 4 or 5 days prior to surgery, I scaled back on the amount of coffee I drank, until the day before surgery I was down to just an oz or two. My surgery was December 1st, and I did great. I actually didn't want coffee after my surgery, and it wasn't until recently that I began drinking it again. I'm down nearly 75 lbs, and I'm enjoying my coffee now! Life is so good. Best wishes to you. This surgery is the best thing I ever did for myself.

[zsarahz]

I was a diet coke aholic. I drank at least 160 ounces of DC per day. I stopped cold turkey on 10/06/11 and have not had one swallow since. My sister, who is addicted to coffee and never has her hand off her thermos never did get to her goal weight after bypass surgery and gained half her weight back. For me, drinking one sip of cola is not an option.
Good Luck!!

[Mbenson5]

You all are so awesome - thanks for sharing your stories! Pop and coffee are going to be tough for me. BUT it will be baby steps just like this surgery process has been. It sounds like the sooner I start working on the weaning, the better. I may need some encouragement when I start dragging...good to know not everyone has lost energy which is so precious to getting what I need to get done, done.

[Mbenson5]

We actually have some muscle milk from when my husband had his surgery - I'll be looking for the Latte! Thanks! =)

[Mbenson5]

So wonderful your insurance will pay for your recovery - have a great time! I have to admit I'm glad I live close to the facility where I'll be having the surgery - however, if I were going to go out of the country, I think I could be talked into Costa Rica! lol You are so smart to start weaning yourself now and making those changes. You all have motivated me to start now, even with the pressure of finishing up the school year. Tomorrow I'm planning to put in my garden, but will only have 1/2 of the coffee I normally have. Will be good experience and I can take it slower at home more than I could at work. I just don't want to feel like a mush-head on Monday and try to talk to parents in meetings! lol

[shubair]

oh to us and our addictive behaviors food, caffeine, soda etc......... I have to stop and really look at myself many times. I am a RN who worked in ICU for many years, but have recently went to work in Psych hospital. I have realised I have a very addictive personality and to give up something we love is never an easy task. One day at a time people whether it be food, caffeine or whatever. 15 years ago i suffered from an ulcer and my Doctor told me stop cafeine now!! I switched to half caf coffee and I could not tell difference. Then I went total caf free it took me about a month to do this but when we stop and think ok I am so worth it arent I? Give it up girl and you will one day think omg i dont even miss it!! Im probably rambling here haha sorry.
Start making 1/2 caf coffee cut out sodas now will be easier in the long run. then your body will adjust to the less caf you are getting on a daily basis.
After a few weeks you will be able to stop caffeine and maybe not suffer from headaches. Look into natural herbs if you need more energy.
Cheri

[Mbenson5]

Thanks Cheri! I'm an OT and work in a school so getting through the last few weeks are going to be tough as it is - I really need the encouragement! This morning I just had 1 cup of coffee v. the 2 I normally have on the weekend mornings. Not a huge sacrifice, but hey, gotta take it where you can... lol Now if I can just get through the day without a Coke, that will be progress! I don't know much about natural herbs but want to learn. BTW, how do you like Psych? Some of my OT friends went into that area but 1 just asked me about schools because she thinks her position is going to be cut. Anyway, thanks!