How bad would it be

if I had regular coffee instead of decaf one day?  I just miss the flavor. 

A lot of surgeons don't have the no caffeine rule at all. Mine did, though, so I did go without it for a couple months after surgery. I drink regular coffee everyday now, without any problems.

What does your surgeon have to say? I drink coffee and have since I could get in all my water, but my surgeon doesn't have a restriction on it.

I don't think it would be bad at all.  But if your surgeon advised you against having regular coffee, I'd give him a call and ask, especially since your surgeon was so recent.

My surgeons office's only problem with caffeinated coffee was that caffeine is a diuretic and that can cause water loss. When you are fighting so hard to get your water in to loose it would be a shame. That being said, they said it would be fine (I was questioning about tea specifically and then coffee) just as long as you watched what you added to it.

According to the Mayo Clinic and many other reputable sources, caffeine is not much of a diuretic and doesn't cause water loss.  I wonder why your surgeon's office thinks it does?

Caffeine is not a diuretic, but it can interfere with absorption of iron, so avoid taking iron while drinking caffeinated beverages.

Thanks, you guys!  My surgeon is pretty chill so I don't think he'd mind if I did one day!  I can't even get a full cup in and I used to drink tons. Amazingly, I have not had headaches or any withdrawals from caffeine. This surgery is truly amazing! Yes, thank you!

I was served coffee in the hospital and I drink it every day.  

I drank decaf for the first year even though I am a major coffee addict and my NUT even okayed me to have up to 2 cups a day, provided I got in all my water.  I gave it up because it contributed to my anxiety and I found that I was less anxious without it.

After about a year I started drinking regular again and found that it didn't bring back the anxiety.  I try to stick with one or two cups a day most days.  I bought a Keurig so I don't make a pot any more.  

But first and foremost, follow your surgeon's orders, even if you don't agree.  Even if drinking coffee doesn't hurt you, not following your doctor's orders can.