THANK YOU everyone! A lot of great insights and advice.
Ultimately, I figured out that Starbucks has decaf espresso (which I didn’t even know was a thing because, well, why…lol) and got a sugar free decaf espresso with a drop of pumpkin cold foam. The decaf espresso was far better than the decaf roast I was using. It was heavenly and just having it made me feel better— I didn’t feel like it was wrong and I didn’t feel completely restricted. I’m working on my relationship with food and “dieting” as I recover (aren’t we all?) and it felt like a win. I also wrote down some of the concoctions and great ideas y’all gave, and started planning my own sugar free healthy concoctions to try. And I will follow up with my doctor at my post-op appointment in a few days.
It’s fascinating that every single person and plan is so unique, depending on your body, your doctor, hospital, state, country, etc. It’s nice to gather so many perspectives and be able to feel *in control* while weighing your options because you’re not starving all the time. Just a thought. Thanks again!