Conflicting Information Questions - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

MissKeaton · 08-30-2009, 03:18 PM

I've seen tons of posts about coffee, i'm not an avid drinker, but sometimes i run into a wall and a screw gets loose. Every doctor recommended WLS diet i have looked at (i have over 30 in a folder on my desktop, and more in my favorites) says NO CAFFEINE! So is that kinda one of those beginner things to make you never drink it because its bad for you. Or is it one of those... well you prolly shouldnt... type things. Maybe the posts for these people is decaf, who knows, but i think of the posts i've seen, maybe one of them actually said decaf.

Carbs... I've seen a few people say they have not touched a carb since they had surgery, which would be awesome. However I'm wondering do they mean bad carbs eg. bleached flour noodles, white bread, and so on. Or are "good" carbs acceptable. Like these Whole Grain thin bun thingies i use with boca burgers.

I also have a question too about aspartame. It seems that most everything that is SF is made with aspartame. Well say i drink Crystal light every day, around the 4th day, i am sick to my stomach, and everything in me is coming out in whatever color crystal light went in me. The more i consume these things, the more i have to potty. As long as i dont include crystal light type drinks, i'm ok with the popsicles/yogurt/jello. I dont mind water, i drink a lot of it, but variety is good. I guess if i get to the point that i think im going to cry if i drink any more plain water, i can make kool aid with splenda instead of sugar. Oh, my question was, does anyone know of these types of products that are made with splenda or anything else besides aspartame? Someone at work told me to look into K2O?

Thanks!
Keaton

armilford · 08-30-2009, 04:09 PM

I've heard no caffeine from my nutritionist... because caffeine I think can cause ulcers, don't quote me on it but that's what I think I was told.

I wonder the same thing about carbs, can't wait to see the answers ppl have!

I found this site that has a good list of things that are sweetened with splenda. Too much of a good thing is bad! What happens to you with aspartame happens to me with too much splenda! I've never heard of K2O, but I use to drink a lot of Fruit2O and it is sweetened with splenda also!

Great post!!

poet_kelly · 08-30-2009, 04:25 PM

Most things that I have read say no caffeine after WLS, and that's what my surgeon and dietician said, too. I think there are a couple of reasons for that. For one thing, caffeine is a diurectic. It can dehydrate you. And we all know how important our fluids are after WLS, right? Also, I think caffeine can increase the risk of ulcers. I admit it, I do have caffeine on occasion. But not that often. I use general foods international vanilla latte mix in my protein shakes sometimes. That's about it.

As far as carbs go, you know fruits and vegetables have carbs in them, right? I don't think anyone is staying away from all carbs. Some carbs are not going to hurt you. Especially those in vegetables. But starchy carbs (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes) need to be limited. Some people choose to pretty much stay away from those altogether after WLS, although I have not actually read any actual diet guidelines from any surgeons or dieticians that recommend doing that. They generally talk about eating them in moderation. That's what I do. And I try to choose the whole wheat bread over the white, when I do eat bread.

Aspartame does bother some people, especially in large amounts. All I can suggest is to look at altnernatives if it bothers you. To be honest, I'm not sure artificial sweetener is really that healthy for you, anyway. I use it. But plain water might be better for you than Crystal Lite.

Kelly

mistymee · 08-30-2009, 04:32 PM

Re the caffeine. From everything I've read from 'experts' is that caffeine does nothing good for us and we should avoid it. My doctor 'forbids' it due to the possibility of ulcers caused by caffeine. We are more prone to ulcers post operatively so why chance it, you know?

I drink decaf, personally. Tastes the same and once you're decaffeinated you won't notice the difference.

Re the carbs. I say anyone who says that a carb never enters their mouth (and there have been some that say that) are liars. Or maybe not liars *exactly* but over-exaggerating. Because even things like milk, cheese, yogurt, fruit and veggies have carbs. It is unrealistic to think someone will never eat another carb again and note that your brain actually needs a small amount of carbs to function properly. It is the all white, processed type of carb you should avoid.

Re: aspartame. I hate the stuff and avoid it mostly. I use other sweeteners, like splenda in particular. I think it's an individual thing whether it is tolerated or not. My hubby's doctor has required he give it up due to the problems it can cause with a man's prostrate.

Tribeca · 08-31-2009, 09:04 AM

Okay so let me first say I am adicted to caffine. 3-4 cups a day. There is a post on here somewhere that has an article in it about yes caffine is a diuretic but unless you are doing shots of espresso the water in in makes up more the it takes away. I personally had stopped drinking coffee after my surgery due to ulsers but keept getting dehydrated. Now I drink coffee throughout the day with milk and protein powder and I have not even been dissy for over a month. I think the chance of ulsers is ther depending on the strangth and wether you add milk. The coffee at my work isn't all that strong.

I wouldn't try this till you are about 6 months out though. Making sure all insisions are healed.

My opinion is be your own judge. everyone's body is different and will accept things differently.

AirForceW1fe · 09-03-2009, 11:34 PM

My surgeon has no restrictions on caffeine. That being said I would rather err on the side of caution. I switched to decaf iced tea that I sweeten with Splenda. I do drink Crystal Light but only when I am away from home, I keep packets in my purse so that I always have something to drink.

As for the carbs, like Misty said. There is no way to avoid them completely. They are pretty much in everything we consume. I think the best way to look at it is you only have so much space in your new tummy to fit food into. So protein has to take priority. I you have gotten your protein, vegetables and fruit in that order you probably will not have room for bread.

That being said, I made shrimp scampi tonight with angel hair pasta. After I ate my 4 shrimp, I did have a forkfull of pasta. Not something I would do everyday or even once a month. But given I used to eat a half a pound of pasta pre op, I just don't see the harm in it. I am also not one of those people where eating bread or pasta makes me want to go on a binge for it. If you are, then I would just avoid all together. Empty calories really.

Shetaz0028 · 09-04-2009, 05:16 AM

I was told no caffeine by my PCP years ago because caffeine robs our bones of calcium which most of us women have in short supply. My team said no caffeine before surgery because it leads to more bleeding and none after because of ulcers. I have been caffeine free since October and really don't miss it. I did take a taste of hubbies coffee last week and boyo did my pouchy ever get pissy over that one. Plus, I would rather use those calories for something yummy like shrimp or the like.

Carbs? Since I'm still on the protein load part of things I don't have many of those. But, my team says good carbs (those in fruits and veggies) are a go but, the ones in chips and crackers are no-no's. Those helped me to get where I was to need the surgery and as of right now I have no intention of going back.

jerseygrl684 · 09-04-2009, 05:59 AM

I used to occasionally have a sip of my boyfriend's soda when we went out. Doesn't taste the same and frankly the gassy bubbles were not worth looking like a hunched over mule at the table. I don't drink coffee, never have never will.

Carbs? They tend to fill up the pouch quicker and provide no real nutritional content. For most of us, it may even HURT to eat them because of the way they sit in our tummies. That said, i will have 1/4bagel, 6-7 lil noodles, or something carb-related now... HOWEVER the carb-demon seems to follow us, halt our weight loss and was the reason for a lot of our weight gain. We tend to try and leave him in the past.

IF u want carbs, try em at home.. and i would wait till you are a little longer than newly post-op. I don't think I would have had it like airforce did, but... she only had a forkful. I can't see her suckin down the whole bowl of pasta with her hands and face

/.

Scooty's Mom · 09-04-2009, 08:49 AM

I drink coffee every morning. I use sweet-n-low and powdered creamer. My Dr. said one cup in the morning is ok, just make sure to drink all my water, to make up for the diuretic effect of it. I really do not function well without coffee and pre-op I was drinking about 2-3 20oz. cups in the morning. So, I have cut back, but I did not stop all together. Honestly, I was not aware of the ulcer thing or if I was I forgot. I haven't had any problems with caffeine, that I am aware of, so I guess I will ask my Dr. about the warning signs of an ulcer and decide if I am at risk or not.

Carbs- the bane of my existence. I worry everyday because the only things I can eat, well, are beans and oatmeal. Both loaded with carbs. I can eat cheese, but one cannot exist on cheese alone. I still cannot keep any meat down and frankly I have lost the taste for it, so I do not have many protein options. I drink 2 shakes a day (25grams ea.) and eat yogurt or cheese for snack, but my meals are usually beans. That way I get protein even though I am consuming carbs at the same time. I dont know what else to do.

Hope this helps, some! Good Luck to ya!

DPaul · 09-04-2009, 09:04 AM

Carbs get a bad rap. The make up about 40% of my calorie intake, about the same as protien with about 20% coming from fat. The thing is to stay away from or limit the carbs with little nutritional value. I will continue to have my oatmeal, beans, lentils, fruit, dairy products, etc.