Caffeine Question

I used to drink a LOT of Diet Coke, and a fair amount of coffee.  But I've haven't had any of either since before my RNY back in August.  I've only had hot tea 2-3 times since then, and a LOT of Crystal Lite Iced Tea (my new favorite drink).  But this morning I find myself in SERIOUS need of caffeine!!  So,  gentlemen.  What's been your experiences?  Is there a good reason to continue avoiding caffeine, at this point, 3.5 months post RNY?  I know the carbonation in Diet Coke is bad - I'm talking about coffee and the like. BTW, if you abbreviate "Crystal Lite Iced Tea" on your shopping list, and your wife sees it, she may wonder where the heck you do your shopping!!   

I was a big coffee drinker but I quit after WLS. They told me to avoid it because of it's dehydrating effects. But, moderation is the key to everything in this new life, so I have started having one cup of normal coffee per day, after lunch. I drink plenty of liquids each day so I don't think that one cup is going to do much harm.

I started drinking coffee about 3 months after surgery.  It helps me with hunger and from everything I read caffeine is a good thing if you use it before you work out.  I drink diet coke, but it's not my main source of fluid.  I have not had any problems with dehydration due to caffeine, but I do drink a lot of water during the day. Good luck,

I'm 61 weeks out since my own WLS...and I quit coffee/diet colas etc for about the first 4 months or so... Since then, I limit myself to just one ex large coffee daily (we have this great chain of coffee shops up here in canuck-land call Tim Hortons and they're SO SO SO good) and that's more because I think I "should" be limiting my caff intake than actually getting any kind of medical advice etc. My pcp when asked said it's up to me...I should be able to handle up to 3 coffees daily but the 1 I do have just seems right somehow. Have heard however here in the Locker Room much discussion at times on this...specifically on what caff does or can do to sutures....but I never experienced same... Dx may have some more info on this too.... Jim

I use to drink a couple cups a day in the winter **** tea in the summer).  I waited for over a year to drink coffee.  Now I will just have 3 to 4 oz about 3 times a week.  I add alot of milk and Splenda (with alittle sugar).  Be sure you protect your pouch, it's the only one you have.  Test and see how your pouch feels about it (it will let you know).  I personally would wait till you are done losing weight, but it's your call.  The longer the better I would say.  Brian

Hey Boxman, my surgeon's rule was no caffeine for 3 months, and I timed it to the day, on the first day of the 4th month I think I was the first one at the drive thru line at Dunkin D.  That was 16 months ago, and I havent had any problems with caffeine.  I dont drink carbonated drinks at all, definate no-no with my surgeon.  Every one is different so follow your doc's rules.  Good luck.

John

I have just recently started having a cup of coffee at work. I don't have one every day, just when I need a little pick me up. I like cold coffee so I fill my cup half way and then cool it off the rest of the way. So really I am only drinking half a cup. Prior to surgery I could drink coffee or soft drinks and never feel the effects of it. Now after 15 or 20 minutes I really get a pick me up from it. I will be a year out next week.  pan head

Hey Boxman, blessings for you and yours! I used to be a coffee fiend before surgery, drinking upwards to 10 cups a day.  But after surgery (4 mos. now) I can't even stand the smell of it, so I decided to kick the habit after 25 years or so of drinking the bitter black concotion, I believe I'm better for it.  I've always loved plain H2O and that's what I drink, nothing added, even the thought of crystal light makes me nauseous, ha ha.  However I miss my diet cherry cokes and diet dr. peppers a lot! See ya, BobM.