Would you like a cup of coffee?

I just had someone tell me that their program strongly prohibits coffee post surgery and ask me if I ever have coffee.

My program also restricts caffinated drinks, especially early on. Dehydration is a major issue following weight loss surgery. Believe it or not, dehydration is actually the number one reason that people are readmitted to the hospital during the first few days and weeks after surgery. Coffee generally contains caffine and caffine acts as a diuretic, so there is some concern that consuming coffee can contribute to deydration. Caffine is also known to contain acids that can increase the gastric acids which can cause heartburn and gastro esohpageal reflux. Finally, studies indicate that coffee stimulates gallbladder contraction and colonic motor activity within minutes of drinking it. Here is a link to a review of the issue.

My program does allow 'decaffinated' coffee and tea, so that's what I enjoy.

I have never been a coffee drinker.  I never liked anything that tasted the least little bit like coffee.  So that hasn't been a problem for me at all.  However, I was a huge soft drink person, especially Pepsi/Coke.  Since my surgery I haven't had a sip.  Not out of fear of the caffeine, but because we're not supposed to have carbonation.

Like you, I was also a huge soda person... I would say I was a "Coke Addict", but people might get the wrong impression ;-)  I didn't try soda for more than a year after my surgery and when I did, to be honest, the carbonation just doesn't allow me to enjoy it like I did before. That is definitely a good thing because I can only IMAGINE the number of empty calories I drank. Now, I usually drink unsweet iced tea (decaf when I can get it) or something like Crystal Lite.

My surgeon told me that if this was my biggest vice, he wouldn't call me out on it. I've been drinking my coffee since 6 weeks out. I love my coffee. I don't drink soda, never have. But coffee ? sacred. morning. ritual.

By the time you got to 6 weeks or so, the dehydration issue should have generally resolved themselves and while some people do have some significant issues with the acids in caffine, some don't. Those who do, can generally substitue Decaf, but it sounds like hi test works just fine for you.

i was begging for some coffee the day after surgery..lol. major coffee & tea drinker, but i use a lot of milk and very little powder with some equal, any flavor can do too! love it. i was told to only do decaf the 1st couple of weeks, so i added the regular stuff back in slowly at abt 3 weeks out. guess each nut/surgeon group has their own rules.  i hv heard some ppl getting served coffee at the hospital postop too..so it varies i think! 

here's to all the coffee drinkers/lovers! 

Clad to hear that you are able to enjoy in your coffee and tea habit. I know that I certainly enjoy mine too. I have generally shifted to decaf versions, but also have high test now and then as well.

You are right that dietary programs vary signficantly from one practice to another. Most often, when people are served coffee in the hospital post op they are getting decaf. The other way that most get coffee post op is when they are at a facility that isn't a contained bariatric wing which usually restricts 'coffee and tea' to the decaf varieties.

As long as folks work with their Surgeons and Dieticians it will all work out. The reason I posted this was someone was asking me 'why' their Dr said not to have.

 

I am scared to drink tea.  A few years ago I quit drinking soda and switched to unsweetened tea.  I got my first bladder infection and then had two more within a few months - after never having one in my life!  The only thing I could think of that I'd done differently was the tea.  I quit drinking it and haven't had another bladder infection since.  So now I'm scared to have even a sip!

I only have one cup of coffee per day, on workdays I pick one up on the way.  My doctor said it's ok because I just have the one.  This was since my post op visit if I remember correctly.  Each doctor has his own opinion of what his patients should and shouldn't have.  I've never been a soda fanatic, so I don't miss that at all.

I drink one small mcdonald's non-fat latte every morning and a diet coke at lunch.  my NUT said both were fine.  i'm 3 mos out, probably started about 6 weeks out.  i don't find any problems.

it is definitely weird that things vary so much between practices, hmmmmmm.