Caffeine is a hot topic for weight loss surgery patients! It can delay healing of your wounds from surgery, and it is a trigger for heartburn. It can also interfere with nutrient absorption at a time when your body is already struggling to stay nourished.

Still, as many as 96% of Americans use caffeine, and 85% use it daily. The average daily intake for Americans is 165 mg – about the amount in 1 to 2 cups of coffee or 3 to 4 cans of a caffeinated soft drink (such as Coke, Pepsi, or Mountain Dew).

If you’re among the majority who depend on caffeine to wake up and stay sharp, weight loss surgery can put a damper on your style. Some surgeons suggest staying away from caffeine for life, while others require a 30-day caffeine-free post-op period before letting you try a little to see if you can tolerate it. Some potential weight loss surgery patients delay or even decide against surgery because they cannot face the possibility of life without their coffee.

If you loved your soda and coffee before WLS, how are you coping now? How much coffee, tea, and soda did you used to drink, and how much do you have now? Did you cut it out cold turkey before surgery? Share your pre-op and post-op caffeine experiences here!

I never liked soda, before or after. I do like coffee, and I have a 10 ounce mug a day pre and post op, sometimes 2. The only thing my surgeon recommended was to slow down my intake a week before if I'm a heavy coffee drinker, but other than that, I was allowed to have it pre and post op if I wanted it.

The only thing is I drink lighter ground, nothing bold or it does hurt my tummy, though that was true before surgery, because I have Gerd.

It may or may not apply to you, but I found that the type of roast doesn't affect me. Some brands that are most ordinary (Maxwell, e.g., and another used in an office) gave me stomachaches.

@@higher - Uncle Google will provide whatever is available immediately.

I'm well aware of the existence of Google, although I'm not related, thank you. I thought maybe the OP or someone here could elaborate on their experience with caffeine related malabsorption specific to WLS.