Question:
Is there any reason why I can't have coffee after surgery?

I don't drink more than a "generous" cup of coffee in the morning and I'm not bothered by caffeine. I simply enjoy my morning cup of coffee!    — Linda H. (posted on March 7, 2001)

March 7, 2001
Hi, I'm 3 months post op from LAP RNY. I have a cup of coffee just about every morning. Sometimes I don't get to finish it, but that is just because I am so rushed in the morning trying to get ready for work. I use Equal or Sweet n' Low and a little bit of skim milk. Good luck to you.
   — Angela E.

March 7, 2001
I am almost 5 months post-op from Open RNY. I drink coffee everyday. In fact, I drink more coffee now than I did pre-op! Coffee taste soooo much better to me now. It seems kinda weird. I use a couple of packs of splenda and non-dairy creamer. I would suggest take it slowly. Try a 1/2 cup one morning and see how you feel the rest of the day. Good luck!
   — Kim P.

March 7, 2001
My surgeon recommends switching to decaf if coffee is an issue. I too ... ADORE my morning coffee. Caffeine isn't really the issue and I've already switched to decaf. The REASON caffeine is NOT recommended post-op is because it acts as a natural dieuretic. Your body will have enough trouble getting in enough fluids without counteracting it with dieuretics. Silly to drink coffee to make you MORE thirsty huh?? Whie this may not effect you now ... it most likely will after surgery. Best of Luck!
   — Rachael R.

March 7, 2001
I love my coffee, caffeine and all!!! Some doctors recommend that you switch to decaf because of the diuretic effect of caffeine and some say that caffeine makes you hungry. I have been drinking regular coffee (black/no sweetener is how I like it) since I started on liquids in the hospital! I have given up cigarettes, chocolate, sugar, and most "comfort foods" in the last year and I have never been much of a drinker (alcohol that is). Coffee is my only vice and I think it is a pretty minor one. Some people even mix their protein powder with coffee to make a cappuchino type beverage. IMHO, one cup of coffee a day is not going to hurt you, even if it is regular coffee with caffeine. Just drink a little extra water to make up for the fluid loss caused by the coffee. Good luck and God Bless.
   — Lynn T.

March 7, 2001
I don't do it, because it doesn't set well with me--too acidic. But our doc reocmmend against it because it neutralizes any of your iron vites, if you're taking 'em within an hour. And caffeine interferes with calcium absorption, which is already a major problem for us. Even if you're taking the full 1500mg calcium citrate + D + Mag, you'll mess up your absorbtion a little with your cuppa. Would it work just as well to be decaf?
   — vitalady

August 11, 2001
since my first day home from the hospital, i enjoy a cup of regular coffee in the morning. That is all the caffeine i have all day.
   — Christine H.