Coffee or Other Energy Boosters

So, I'm six weeks out and today I would normally be sleeping in and recuperating from a long week at work. Instead, I am up again and working all day today at a conference. As I sit in the lobby waiting for my colleagues, I'm about to fall back asleep. I know I'm supposed to stay away from the coffee, but I just might break down today. Does anyone have any other solves for this? Are there any supplements or beverages I can have that will help me stay strong?

Different programs have different rules on caffeine. I was OK'd at 1 month. Some are OK'd after a few months. Some people are told never again (some Dr's are sadists LOL) the majority it seems say moderation after a period without. 

I would ask your Dr first before going rogue ;) 6 weeks... limited nutrition makes your body want to store and reduce energy (think bears in hibernation), body healing still. Be sure to take B12 and Iron... that will help energy levels too.

Lots of protein shakes have a hit of caffeine. I love Chike High Protein Iced Coffee (I do a starbucks sort of blended shake with it: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2014/07/post- weight-loss-surgery-menus-day-in_9.html ) you get your whey protein and a little espresso bang for your buck. Maybe show your Dr the product info and ask for the thumbs up.

Hope your day goes well!

~Michelle "Shelly"

My Dr. Is a coffee drinker so he allowed me to have it one week post op.  His biggest concern was dehydration (coffee is a diuretic ) so he only allowed it once I was drinking 64oz liquid.  I am now experimenting adding protein powders in my coffee so it can cover my whole breakfast needs.

According to the Mayo Clinic and many other sources, caffeine does NOT cause dehydration.  I don't know why doctors keep spreading that myth but it's just not true.

When my energy is down, I really try to focus on drinking extra water. And I drink it as cold as I can. I also drink coffee,  but I was given the ok from my surgeon. The other thing people forget about coffee is how acidic it can be. 

MAchick, I agree with the extra water being a priority.  But, coffee high acidity is in its taste value and not in its actual PH value.  It has a value of about 5.0 which is similar to Bananas and cooked carrots. It is a very common misconception that coffee is involved in ulcers because of the acid taste value.  The actual PH does not support that.  For example tomato sauce and ketchup has a lower ph (more acidic) than coffee, yet have a sweeter taste value.  An experiment you can do at home is trying to polish silver with ketchup then try it with black coffee. 

Yes, you are right on the acidity level of coffee. Maybe what I should have said, is that coffee can irritate the stomach and stimulate it to produce more acid. In a lot of people, and even more so in some WLS patients, that can be very uncomfortable and cause a lot of pain.

I was told to drink decaf only

Why are you supposed to stay away from coffee?

I was allowed coffee from day 1 after surgery. Every doctor is different in what they recommend. The nutritionist suggested not more than 2 per day, but that's not even in the doc's paperwork. I guess my doc is a coffee drinker.