Question:
I REALLY miss my coffee. What about Espresso?

I am 1 month post-op (Open RNY). I'm pretty much eating what I want of regular foods, while watching fats, sugars and proteins. If I'm going to be a little short one day in the protein department - I'll have a shake to supplement. I've not 'dumped'.. or vomited.. or had diarrhea.. or ANYTHING resembling a 'complication'.. I feel great - EXCEPT.... I really miss my coffee. I've tried drinking a cup now and then. I can't get the whole thing down without warming it up several times.. and it takes me FOREVER to get it finished. I can't help feeling I'm missing the 'energy boost' that coffee used to give me (formerly 10-12-cup-a-day habit). Has anyone tried drinking Espresso post-op? I'm thinking that the concentrated caffein in the espresso, combined with the reduced volume, will give me the 'kick' I'm missing.. Can anyone give me any advise on this? (down 25 lbs/22 inches) THANKS..!!    — Diane E. (posted on January 10, 2002)

January 10, 2002
Hi there! Congratulations on your surgery. I am a die-hard Starbucks fan (non-fat lattes). I have consumed 1-3 a day for years! After sugery, it took me a long time to get back to drinking them...same experience as you. Then I got to where I could drink a "tall," then a "grande." I did decaf for a while - but then tried half/half - now back to regular non-fat lattes. My doc said no caffeine...but I drink a ton of water and watch vitamins, protein, etc. I don't drink soda pop at all ... so this is my one vice. So far tests are good and I've lost 73 pounds. Best of luck to you! Open RNY 7/17/01.
   — blee01

January 10, 2002
dianne i too love my coffee. my surgeon said coffee was fine to drink, he doesnt have a problem with it. hes been doing wls for 30 years. i am 3 1/2 wks post op & every morning my honey has my coffee waiting for me. except now i only add 1 tsp of my favorite non dairy creamer & like u it takes me ages to drink it & i am constantly nuking it to get it hot again. lol. i havent tried espresso yet as i am just so happy to be able to drink regular.
   — sheryl titone

January 10, 2002
I am also a coffee & espresso drinker. I don't drink soft drinks (ever) or milk (except in the espresso) or juice. I like the Starbuck's type, but a different brand. I usually have a tall, skinny mocha with sugar free vanilla or almond. Yummy! I have also had them with regular syrup as I don't dump. However, I have found myself in the situation of needing to cut back on them. At 20 months post, I have gained a few pounds in the last month. So I'm limiting myself to one a day max. Of course this is right after that spiffy new espresso maker I got for Christmas! I didn't start drinking these til I was more than six months post op, tho. Maybe just start really slowly & don't let yourself start having too much or too many; it can make for a bad habit you may have to deal with later. Plus, I think drinking these makes it harder to get all your water in & that is SO important, especially in those first months.
   — Kathy W.

January 10, 2002
At one month post op I couldn't drink coffeee either, and before surgery I was nothing without my coffee (except a little cranky! LOL) Early on I also sipped on the same cup of coffee forever and it just didn't taste good to me at all. At about 3 or 4 months post op suddenly my coffee drinking increased and it tasted good again and before I knew it I was back to setting the timer on the coffee maker and drinking my 2 cups in the morning. I have now started to drink decaf during the afternoon hours because I know we shouldn't overdo with the caffeine. I sprinkle some cinnamin in the decaf coffee grounds before brewing and Yummy! Also, I only drink my coffee with Land O' Lakes fat free half and half. Not exactly as good as regular but I have aqcuired a taste for it and all my friends who come for coffee say it's delicious. Sorry to ramble,but one more thing, I know some say no caffeine, but look, if we are eating healthy, drinking lots and lots of water, and being sensible I can't see how two cups of regular coffee per day can hurt.I don't drink Crystal Lite iced tea and that has lots of caffeine! Only clear water to offset the coffee drinking. It hasn't hurt me, I am 7 months post op, 103 pounds gone and just 8 more pounds from goal. Good luck and as soon as you are able I hope you enjoy your coffee again!
   — Vicki K.

January 10, 2002
I am also a coffee drinker post op. I do find that I can't drink a whole cup in the morning and have to run back and forth to the microwave with it. I have had espresso and didn't have any problems with it. If you tolerate coffee ok it probably won't bother you. You could try making stronger coffee at home. It tastes good with a little creamer in it. I do often go downstairs in my office and use the machine they have to make espresso strength coffee out of regular. It tastes fine to me!
   — ctyst