Coffee

I am pre-op.  Can anyone tell me why a lot of people mention that they can't have any coffee the two weeks before surgery?  Is it because you're not allowed to drink it after surgery?

There's always a big argument over coffee.

My surgeon wanted us to be off of caffeine before surgery and for a few months post-op. I believe it had to do with how caffeine can cause dehydration.  I quit coffee and diet sodas before my surgery but after about 3 or 4 months after surgery, I started drinking coffee again. I love it...

I had to stop drinking it before surgery too.  I think it mostly helped me from having caffeine withdraw after surgery when I couldn't stomach it. 

I think head hunger and caffeine withdraw together after surgery would have been a ***** Luckily, I escaped both.

That being said, I was a big coffee drinker pre and now 6months out I'm still a big coffee drinker (with protein powder of course).  Everyone's doctor plan is different as well as every weightloss  patient's plan.  For me it works.  For someone else, it may not.

I wasn't ever told I couldn't have caffeine prior to surgery...I drank it right up to the day before.  However, withdrawal from caffeine is a *****!  I wish I had stopped it prior to surgery because I didn't enjoy dealing with the headaches and withdrawal symptoms immediately post-op. 

Post-op I think it has to do more with the fact that caffeine is a stimulant; it can stimulate hunger and cause excess acid production, neither of which you want immediately post-op.  

That being said, there are LOTS of people on here that regularly enjoy coffee after a few weeks post-op.  

My doctor said caffeine irritates the stomach as well.  I'm sure since caffeine can also have side effects such as heart palpitations that isn't good either,  I was having those.  I had to be off of caffeine for three months prior and for three months after.  I like decaf Red Rose tea so I've been drinking that.  I had a massive headache for like 5 days but so far so good. I'm not missing it much most of the time

Some doctors tell you you can't have it, some say it's okay.  I think, in large part, it's how much of it you drink.  I'm allowed to have coffee.  I was allowed to have it the day after surgery in the hospital.

I think it might be wise to ween yourself off of coffee prior to surgery just so you don't have to go through withdrawal while you're immediately post-op!  That sounds like it would be quite a challenge. 

I can't say it's a requirement, but I was such a caffeine fiend my surgeon wanted me off it and detoxed before surgery so I didn't get crazy with the cravings and headgames.  I also know someone that was drinking rockstars the day before surgery and was just fine.  Tomayto tomahto I guess, but I followed his particular rules and with the exception of some stupid mistakes I've made, it's been a good ride so far.