Coffee: Yes? No? Caf? Decaf?

Just wondering what folks are doing in relation to coffee these days. I have the occasional cup of regular coffee, but most drink non-fat decaf lattes w/ sugar-free vanilla syrup. What do you do? Kellie

Kellie.. Just in the past two weeks I enjoy a regular cup of coffee with splenda and non fat milk. Oh so yummy!!! I like mine iced and usually get it from Starbucks!!! Jenn

I am a Starbuck's addict and drink WAY too much caffeine. I weaned myself off of it for a while, but now I got addicted to those Latte Lite's from Dunkin Donuts and on Friday they opened up a 24 HOUR STARBUCK'S with a DRIVE THRU in my town and I've been there 3 times already and I'm planning to meet a friend there later! I need to stop! I go through bad phases like that with coffee... just another part of my addictive personality. I go for months of having no caffeine and then back to weeks of having 2 or 3 cups a day, which is where I've been for the past few weeks now!

I never quit. I drink 2 12oz mugs at home before work and 2 16oz tumblers at work. I've always used splenda and now there is a no-sugar added vanilla coffeemate. Lactose intollerant since about 3 months ago so I've gone from a quad 24oz SF Carmel FF Latte to a triple 8oz SF White Chocolate Soy Latte. Had to go to 8oz because the soy is so gross if you don't drink it right away.

An occasional cup isn't going to hurt you. But, remember that coffee (including decaf!!) has LOTS of acid in it, and that is why we are supposed to avoid it. I have a friend who had a bypass four years ago. He drank a couple of cups of coffee a day, and ended up developing an ulcer, and almost died. He was in ICU for a week and ended up not being able to eat any solid foods for 4 months! Now, I'm sure that not everyone is as susceptible to ulcers as he was, and an occasional coffee isn't going to hurt you. Talking to my surgeon and my nutritionist, they both said a once a week latte would be fine (I drink the same as you). But, there are actually REASONS why we're supposed to avoid these things! btw, caffeine is a dehydrator, so when you drink regular coffee, you're robbing your body of much-needed water!!! OK, I'm done! Kate Lawson 10/24/06 240/149/130

Yikes, that's scary, thanks for the info. I have gotten out of control with lattes lately and I need to get a grip again!

I was told in my classes before the surgery that caffeine can erode the staple line! Be careful. Sheryl

I need to get a grip on my caffeine consumption! I was doing so good for a while and now I'm "bingeing" on it again! Thanks for the information! Time for me to wean again! Vi