Giving up coffee??

Ok I need advice I am told to give up caffeine before surgery which is on the 20th! Less than 2 weeks! 

I just can't do it! I have one large ice coffee every morning that's it then water all day I tried not to have it I even tried decaf I was in hell!

I was getting headaches and just overall feeling crappy! 

Did you all have to give up caffeine too and were you able to? 

Is it really a big deal if I don't???

thank you!! 

I understand the feeling...i gave up soda a year before i knew i was gonna have surgery...you def will need to not drink caffeine after surgery...i'm a month out and i'm still not allow caffeine...if its the coffee flavor you will miss...they do have protein shakes that are coffee flavored...I'm not a coffee drinker myself so I didn't have to worry about that...CHIKE has a coffee flavored shake...not sure how great it is as I have a packet just haven't use it..

Remember this is a complete lifestyle change...you have to start changing things now...you will have a lot of restrictions after surgery..so I think it's better if you atleast attempt on cutting back on your caffeine in take..instead of large..go small..you will get caffeine withdrawals..i know i did when i gave up soda...but at the end of it..it's up to you to want to change...

Good luck on your journey!

Ugh, sorry-there is no easy way around that. You might try going 1/2 caf for 3-4 days, then halving again, then off. That should alleviate the withdrawals at least a little. You can do this!

I have to give up coffee for 6 months I think my surgeon said also.  Its a little a hard for me also.

You can do it, you just have to deal with suffering withdrawal for the first 3-5 days.  But you CAN do it.  

Hi,

I think there is some variation among doctors on this subject, but my surgeon said it was important so I gritted my teeth and powered through the caffeine withdrawal before surgery. Apparently caffeine can stimulate appetite in some people, and irritate the stomach when it needs to heal. I figured it was better to deal with the headaches before surgery rather than adding them on to the post surgical discomforts. I did decaf for about 3 months but got back to regular coffee soon enough. Protein coffee is my go-to breakfast!

good luck, Katy

Thank you everyone 

I did buy the Chike protein coffee but it says it contains coffee so wouldn't it also have caffeine?

I will start Monday 1/2 decaf then by end of week no coffee

it will be hard but I'll do my best!!!  

You definitely need to be off caffeine for a little bit - obviously when you are just recovering from surgery.  

I know plans differ, but I was back on caffeine about a week out.  You need to be careful if your fluids are low b/c I think caffeine can dehydrate you.  But this is not something you need to give up long term. 

Chike is the best!

Here are my 2 cents... My surgeon personally offered me a cup of coffee the morning after surgery. His words were (and I'm trying to remember the exact quote), "Why deal with a caffeine headache on top of pain from surgery?"

if you are seriously concerned, clarify with your surgeon's office as to exactly WHY you are required to give it up. Sure, caffeine is a vasodilator, but you'd have to drink several pots of the stuff before having adverse effects that would disrupt surgery/healing. Perhaps it is something as simple as giving up the empty liquid calories of Starbucks-esque sugary frappe/latte/etc type drinks? 

All that said, I am NOT advocating going against your surgeon's orders. They give pre op instructions on very individualized plans... I do, however, advocate being an informed patient. 

Never hurts to ask questions, right?

I did have to give up coffee for some time after surgery, while the tummy was healing.  It wasn't too long before I could drink decaf, and now I'm back to my regular routine.

It might help to wean yourself off the caffeine slowly, to prevent the headaches from caffeine withdrawal. 

Good luck,

Carol