Question:
Why can't we drink coffee with caffeine in it?
I just hate the taste of decaffeinated coffee and was told that I could not drink regular coffee after the surgery, just wondering why/ and is there anyone who does drink regular coffee? — Tarah S. (posted on May 28, 2003)
May 28, 2003
Tarah,
I have had no problem drinking straight leaded (regular) coffee, in fact
the first 2 weeks post op I was mixing it in my shakes to give me a little
pump. I know what you mean about the taste of decafinated. Girl don't worry
about it, I've been drinking it since post op 2 weeks, and no hinder here,
just make sure that you don't count it as water intake, and for every ounce
you drink make sure you add more ounces to your water intake as it can
dehydrate you, how-ever I've had no problem with it.
I think on the 4th month post op I was drinking 2 cups of coffee a day,
seeing I no longer do sodas I needed to get my caffine in some where... I'm
now 12 months post op, and I still drink coffee, not hot coffee, I'm
addicted to the Myoplex lite cappicino protein shakes, they have caffine in
them, oh man it's the best. I cut my hot coffee back allot seeing it's been
about 105 degrees outside and it's only going to get warmer.
Hope this helps.
Hugs.
12 months post op down 133 pounds
— tannedtigress
May 28, 2003
Caffeine will dehydrate you:( For every cup of coffee add TWO CUPS of water
to the 8 cups daily you should drink.
<P> So if you drink 2 cups of coffee daily add 8 cups of water to 4
cups to offset the caffeine in coffee. Your NOW drinking 12 cups of water
daily. Drink De cafe, it doesnt change your water needs. Although DONT
drink it early post op!You wouldnt give coffe to a baby??? Well fore awhile
you will have a babies tummy.
— bob-haller
May 28, 2003
I drink regular coffee - one cup in the morning. I was not able to
tolerate it until about 3 months after surgery. I don't find that it
dehydrates me since I also make it a prioity to get in an additional 24
ounces of plain old water before lunch! I just don't count it as part of
my daily water intake, and my body is pretty well used to it, now. It
could be a problem if you are one of those people who drink it by the pot!
— koogy
May 28, 2003
Like Susan, I gave up all caffeinated products for the first few months
post-op. I now have 1 cup of coffee every morning-no problems but have not
returned to any other caffeinated product. I think its the dehydrating
factor and as water is so essential for us, and it is so hard to get it all
in as an early post-op, its best to stay away from dehydrating liquids
until you are able to achieve maximum water intake. Coffee should not be
counted as a liquid towards our daily 64 oz of water.
— Cindy R.
May 28, 2003
The main reason you are supposed to avoide caffeine is that it interferes
with calcium absorption & leads to bone density problems. That's what
my surgeon told me & as well as what I've read. As a female WLS
patient, I do everything I can to prevent absorption problems. Now, my
surgeon did say that one cup of coffee a day is negligible. I sure do miss
regular coffee, and pre-op I only had one cup a day anyway. So, I think
I'll be going back to enjoying that cup soon....
— Amy A.
May 28, 2003
Have you tried the really good quality decaf coffees? I get Bucks County or
Starbucks by the pound instead of the cheaper Maxwell House regular coffee
that I used to drink. Yes, it's much more money, but I prefer to stick with
decaf for the reasons the other posters mentioned.
— Yolanda J.
May 28, 2003
I have been drinking two cups of regular coffee everyday since two weeks
post-op with my surgeons blessing.
— Delores S.
May 28, 2003
hiya! i drank "leaded" coffee up until last month when i was
diagnosed with osteoporosis!
i have switched to decaf and think it tastes fine. there is one brand at my
store that is ground vanilla nut decaf and tastes like regular coffee. i
had only been drinking 2 cups a day of regular coffee but i got a
lack-of-caffeine headache for a few days after going to decaf!!
also caffeine is a diuretic...
better to play it safe in my book,
good luck!
kate
— jkb
May 28, 2003
My pouch wouldn't tolerate caffeine until I was over a year post-op. I'm
back to drinking caffeinated coffee now, after being off of it for over a
year. No problems.
— Kathy J.
May 28, 2003
I'm two years post op and have always drank coffee and diet pop with
caffine. But there are better options for drinks of course. I've started to
drink very weak lemon/lime (fresh squeezed) water. Now, thankfully I've cut
down on the diet pop and coffee, although I still drink some once in
awhile. It is better not to drink caffinated products, so I cut some of
them out, gradually. I won't deny myself these drinks because if I did I'd
crave them all the time. lol Anyway, I drink caffine with no noticable
problems.
— Danmark
May 28, 2003
Caffeine will dehydrate you. I found out the hard way after I fainted on
the train on the way to work. I drank plenty of fluids..unfortunately they
were all caffeinated tea or coffee. I've now switched to decaf. My skin
is better and I don't get light headed and I'm not afraid of fainting
anymore. Anything in moderation is ok, but each of us a different
threshhold. If you do drink caffeinated drinks make sure you balance it
out with extra water. Lisa open rny 4/26/02 - 146lbs
— LisaTaz
May 28, 2003
Current research (you can do a google search cause I'm too lazy at the
moment - it's HOT) shows that consuming caffeine is not a bad thing for
persons who are used to it. It does not work as a dehydrated in most
people who regularly drink it over a course of years. I drink coffee with
my doctors blessing.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 29, 2003
I just recently began having my morning coffee. I'm not a big drinker (cup
or 2, 3-4 times a wk). I do see that there is a 1/2 decaf coffee out and it
is made by one of the bigger names (Maxwell House or one of those). It's
more expensive, but maybe that will work for you. I'm giving up coffee
completely very soon for cosmetic reasons (having teeth whitened).
Good luck!
— Diane S.
June 3, 2003
Like Diane, the previous poster, I drink my coffee EVERY morning. Just
can't help it. I drink a caramel praline latte w/whipped cream (made with
skimmed milk) a "shot" of sugar-free caramel syrup, and a
lucious, thick, drizzle of sugar-free caramel on top of the whipped cream
with a sprinkle of nuts!!! YYYUUMMMYY!! That's my treat and
*"fuel" for the morning. NOTE: Now I only do this AFTER I've had
my breakfast of proteins, and had at least 3/4 of the full amount of water
required per day 64 ounces...Then I'm off and running. I know some have
mentioned it hurts their stomach, but I've not had a problem yet. I
probably should not have it every morning, maybe every other morning. I
don't know about that...I might just be irritable and spastic with caffiene
withdrawal... LOL!
— yourdivaness
June 3, 2003
Around 7 or 8 months post-op I decided I just couldn't function anymore in
the mornings without some coffee. But I chose to stick with decaf, as I
know the importance of being hydrated. I also don't care for the flavor of
regular decaf. Since I make myself a small pot (4 cup coffeemaker, great
for us)...I splurge and buy the whole bean coffee you can grind at the
store...they offer flavored decaf in our local stores...I love the vanilla
nut and the hazelnut...just make sure it is decaf. And I still also drink
at least 80oz of water a day, too.
— Anna L.
June 3, 2003
My doctor said nothing about no caffine....I can't imagine the headaches
without it!
— Sarah S.
June 3, 2003
I had coffee (high test) the morning after surgery (after my leak test was
completed) and have had it every morning since. I have given up absolutely
everything (cigarettes, alcohol, sugar, fat). I have cut back on my coffee
but I refuse to give it up. My surgeon never mentioned it and I'm not
asking. :)
— susanje
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