I know we are not supposed to have caffeine such as a cup of coffee. What about a cup of orange and cinnamon flavored black tea 3 days post op?

I could do tea of any kind. I was to stay away from coffee for at least 2 weeks more acidic on the stomach.

Thank you for your guidance. I will just avoid it altogether and have water or gatorade today.

caffine free is probably safer. Since you are still healing, the acid can hurt pretty bad. I am still pre-op but i also had the lap band before. My surgery is this coming monday. Congratulations on your journey!

If it makes you feel any better, I loved hot green tea pre-op and it still tastes like plastic to me today. Some things are easier to give up than others. Good for you for choosing to stick with your plan!

I used to love a cup or two of coffee in the morning. I waited 2 weeks after surgery to try some and man that was a bad idea. Tore me up and acted like a laxative. At least I have a remedy if I ever get constipated

My Drs say no caffeine until I am 3mths out. That is starting to get very hard caffeine free tastes like crap!!

My surgeon and my diet sheet haven't mentioned caffeine at all. Why are we meant to stay clear of caffeine?

I was told that the first few mths we have such a hard time getting are liquids in and caffeine just dehydrates us which is the last thing we need. I know some people that have to stay off caffeine forever.

I know we are not supposed to have caffeine such as a cup of coffee. What about a cup of orange and cinnamon flavored black tea 3 days post op?

Skane~ I worried what I would do without my morning cup of coffee. Being from the south, I like a cup of good strong coffee. I love black tea as well. "Sasha" and I have had good response to the celestial seasonings herbal teas. I also purchased an herbal pure peppermint leaf tea (twinings brand, especially nice cause they're individually wrapped), on the recommendation of another sleever MinaT, who's said it was her sipping savior. I have really found it warm and soothing. I enjoy it much more than I thought I would. Just some suggestions for you and "Beyoncé".

Pre-surgery my daily intake was a minimum of 64-oz of caffeine-laden black iced tea and 20-oz of non-fat latte. My greatest post-surgery concerns included:

• Not being able to ever drink iced tea with my meals
  
• Not being able to ever use a straw
  
• Not being able to ever get iced tea when dining out (or at drive-thrus) since restaurants and fast-food places don't typically offer decaf
  
• Not having my morning latte
  

At three-plus months out -- In alignment with my Nut and Surgeon's instructions:

• I have settled into a nice routine of not drinking 30 min. before or after a meals. It has become an easy habit and I am so full from 4-5 oz. of food that I can't imagine adding liquids to the mix.
  
• I have easily learned not to order drinks with my meals at restaurants. Funny how the wait-staff keep asking, "Are you sure you don't want water?"
  
• I brew decaf iced tea at home and work (Paradise Tropical Decaf is fabulous) and have this throughout the day when easily accessible.
  

At three-plus months out -- NOT by the book:

• I have no difficulty using a straw
  
• When out-and-about, I drive-thru and get caffeinated iced tea without consequences
  
• Starting at the 3-month mark, I make 8 oz low-fat decaf lattes daily HOWEVER I have had caffeinated now and then without any problems.
  

We are all different and you just need to see what your body will tolerate. I do believe there are legitimate reasons for the "rules" but we are creating a new way of life -- this isn't just a short-term fix -- so we have to learn what works for our bodies and lifestyle.

At 3 weeks post-op, I have returned to my normal routine of a cup or two of coffee (with cream and Stevia) before breakfast every morning with no problems. The rest of my fluid intake is all caffeine free. Everything in moderation.

I started iced /hot coffee with cream and sweetener at about 2 months post op shortly after returning to work. For me I was sooo constipated so it helped with that. I think its really just about keeping your water intake up since caffeine is a diuretic.