Question:
Is it OK post op to have a cup of coffee? Is using Equal in coffee OK?

I can't imaging not having my cup of coffee (with Equal) in the morning. I have not seen any postings about whether it is OK to drink coffee, or to use Equal. I have tried Splenda, and couldn't stand the taste. Thank you all!    — Stacy E. (posted on September 25, 2003)

September 25, 2003
Coffee- yes! C'mon, caffeine is a critical mineral. And, given how dependent many poorer nations are on coffee exports, think of all the impoverished people you'll be hurting if you stop drinking it. I started drinking coffee about 3 weeks after surgery--- started very slowly (about 3/4 cup a day) and was mindful of cramping and stomach pain. Eventually, I built back up to my 5 cup a day habit. But, keep in mind that it might irritate your pouch so take it very slowly and recognize that not everyone can return to full coffee drinking. Remember to count no more than half of your coffee as contributing to your fluid requirements. Also, try to dissassociate any relationship between coffee and food that you might have to prevent the coffee from being a trigger food. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

September 25, 2003
I love coffee, can't drink as much as I used to, but love still the same. Milk no sugar.... Enjoy
   — Kriola

September 25, 2003
May be a new wives' tale, but I heard Equal isn't supposed to be used in things that get hot, like baking or coffee, because it changes the chemical structure and becomes a major carcinogen?? Other than that - a small amount of caffeine is not dangerous.
   — bethybb

September 25, 2003
i drink about 4 ounces half strength and....i usually can't finish it b/c it goes cold before i do...i love it but i drink only after i have at least 12 ounces of water that morning....6 weeks post op RNY
   — E. V.

September 25, 2003
Regarding the coffee going cold. My sister gave me a little electric gadget . . . its kind of like a hot plate for a coffee cup (tea, soup), its fabulous. The one I have is made by Salton. I can take an hour to get my coffee down if I want to and its still hot. I think she said she got it from one of those little catalogs like harriet carter.
   — lorien

September 25, 2003
My surgery isnt till 10-3 but I was told that caff. in coffee can cause ulcers and the caffiene is also an appetite suppressant that we wont need because it will be hard enough to eat all we are supposed to eat in the beginning.I love my coffee too and I did go buy decaf but havent tried it yet. HMMM!
   — loisph

September 25, 2003
Like Lois, I was told to avoid caffeine completely for the first year. My dietitian and surgeon both told me that it creates a greater risk of developing an ulcer. Caffeine also depletes calcium from your bones. We have trouble enough getting adequate calcium, and shouldn't be doing anything to leach it out of our bones (my two cents). I think it's vastly worth the benefits to switch to decaf--withdrawal headache or not.
   — Vespa R.

September 26, 2003
Regarding Beth's question about heating aspartame (equal)...If you do a search on the Internet about aspartame, you will see tons of web sites telling you that it breaks down into toxic chemicals (methanol and formaldehyde) which can cause a host of health problems. You can also find medical studies that show that when your body digests aspartame, it does produce methanol in your body, but so do other types of foods (like fruit) and it's not enough to harm you unless you drink 1000 cans of soda a day. It's a hot issue for many people. I'm not trying to start a debate here, I just wanted to elaborate on the "new wive's tale" so that people can decide for themselves. Also, the official reason you can't bake with Equal is that it loses its sweetness when exposed to prolonged high heat.
   — cabingirl

September 26, 2003
Stacy: I drink 1/2 mug (about 6 oz.) of regularly caffeinated coffee every morning. I add powdered creamer & a packet of Splenda (can't stand Equal, and it took about a week to get used to Splenda, but it tastes so good now). I ensure that I do not take my calcium within 2 hours after/before I drink it (to prevent the absorption problems caffeine creates). I love my 1/2 cup. I also drink a gallon of water a day to make sure that whatever fluids caffeine takes away are regularly replenished. I supposed if I drank more than that 1/2 cup, I should worry. If I feel like having more than 1/2 cup, I brew the pot with 1/2 caffeinated and 1/2 decaf coffee. It tastes pretty good. Enjoy your cup and drink lots of water throughout the day.
   — Amy A.

September 26, 2003
I don't think a cup of coffee with Equal will cause any harm. I have a cup every day,and remember to take my calcuim citrate. I really believe moderation is the key after WLS, whether it's food or medicines or whatever. Haven't we all denied ourselves enough things we enjoy over the years of being fat?(Who hasn't said to themselves, at the beginning of yet another diet,"I'll never eat ______again, and I'll lose this weight.") So have a cup of coffee (when you have healed enough to enjoy it)!
   — koogy

September 26, 2003
If your doctor's postop plan does not forbid coffee, then 1 cup of coffee a day is up to you. I have 1 cup to start every day and I use sweet and low. You'll always have opinions that tell you to avoid caffeine, or avoid aspartame etc, but it is your decision.
   — Cindy R.

September 27, 2003
Hey, I'm with the first answerer, Steve! A day without at LEAST three cups of extra strong coffee with a little Splenda in them, is no day at all! It is the one "bad" habit I NEVER gave up - although I don't consider it a bad habit...I'm even known to have a cup in the afternoon. lap rny 9-6-02:349/189/165
   — Debby M.

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