When did you start coffee/tea/caffeine again?

Hi, all--

So, I notice that a lot folks on the menu threads have coffee w protein at breakfast. I admit, I'm a bit jealous! While I'm not a caffeine addict (pre op, I did 1 cup of coffee pee day with an additional cup of black tea later in the day), I do miss it.

My nut is pretty anti caffeine at the early stage and is kinda no comment on when I could have it again. I'll follow her lead but can't help but wonder: when did you all get the green light.

I drank tea almost right away. My surgeon, whom I trust over any nutritionist on this planet, had 0 issues with me having caffeine in any form.

My post-op plan included coffee from the beginning, but recommended limiting to 1 cup per day.

My nutritionist said 1 cup a day was fine because without it I would get horrible migraines and feel sick. Also, it keeps me regular going to the bathroom so I don't have to take Metamucil or Dulcolax.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind that little side effect, either!

Early on, it has nothing to do with caffeine. Coffee and tea are both acidic, so you're better off waiting until you're sure everything is healed.

Later on, the tannins in coffee and tea interfere with iron absorption. It's always best to drink them two hours apart from ANY iron you hope to absorb.

Actually, my nut is worried about both the acid and the potential diuretic/dehydrating effects of caffeine---as you know, hydration can be a struggle in the early days.

That's a great tip about the iron. Thanks!

I waited a couple of months to be sure my stomach was fully healed. My dietician is also not a fan of caffeine but 1 cup a day is fine by me. I also have a second cup of decaf most days. I've given up A LOT for my health and it's worth it, but I'm not giving up coffee too!

Agree! I don't think I'd go there until I got a firm green light from my team. Still so much healing to go. I think coffee is a pretty benign pleasure---not to mention one that has shown many other healthy benefits.

My menu from the surgeon said I can have DECAF coffee or tea from day one. I did have about 1/2c decaf coffee a couple of days with 1/2 protein shake mixed in in early morning with no problems. Ironically I'm not really a coffee drinking but I am a tea drinking and I have not wanted any tea yet at all.