Caffeine

So this isnt for me but this is for my co worker who had VSG 3 weeks ago, she always had her tea and it was caffeine. When is it ok for her to have it again?

I told her I was told not to have it but I was never a caffeine drinker regardless so this doesnt effect me. So for those of you who dont follow the no caffeine rules, when did you start having it again?

I probably started drinking my coffee again around 2-3 weeks out.  My doctor had no issues or standards when it came to caffeine so I just drank it when I felt comfortable with it.  But I would say make sure to get lots and lots of water in!

She will want to wait until she returns to full foods. Caffeine in and of itself will not hurt her, but it constricts blood vessels and raises heart rate which will slow her healing process quite a bit. She's better off staying away from it until 6 or 8 weeks post op.

I was told no more caffeine ever, that it dehydrates you too much. I was surprisingly able to quit caffeine cold turkey! 

I see everyone has different recommendations to follow. However, I never had restrictions on having caffeine or tea. Drink tea very often. It  was only recommended to avoid coffee the first few weeks after surgery due to the issue it may cause severe heartburn. Once I was able to handle coffee..about 4-5 weeks post surgery with no reflux..I have my regular cup of Joe every morning :-)

That stuff about caffeine causing dehydration is a myth, there is no scientific evidence to support. Article about the latest study to debunk it:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/09/coffee-dehydration- moderate-consumption_n_4568059.html

Another, earlier study:

http://advance.uconn.edu/2002/020722/02072207.htm ("caffeine is no more a diuretic than water")

earlier article:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=5552790

My surgeon offered me coffee the morning after surgery. He said he doesn't like for patients to have caffeine withdrawals on top of everything else! I was never given any restrictions regarding caffeine intake. 

As soon as I was cleared for clear liquids.

I am cautious about my caffeine intake for a few reasons.  I used to drink a lot of things high in caffeine.  I could not "wake-up" without it.  I felt tired and sluggish without a morning cup of pick-me-up.  After detoxing my body of the caffeine and enduring huge headaches that lasted for about 3 or 4 weeks I discovered that I no longer need it.  I still like to have a cup of coffee or tea on the weekends but I no longer use it as a crutch to wake me up and get going in the morning.  I can function at my fullest without my morning cup of coffee.  I also never want to be dependent on it and go through that withdrawal again.

I also did not have any restrictions on caffeine but I have found since surgery that it upsets my stomach.  I use to be a big tea drinker and since surgery it is very hard for me to drink.