Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Question about caffeine



Recommended Posts

Hi Everyone,

If I wasn't in the dread of finals week, I would research this myself, but I figured someone here might know the answer.

I'm in the pre-surgery diet stage, surgery is on the 18th. I have been following the no-caffeine rule and am off it; drinking Decaf.

My questions are:

1.) If your doctor took you off caffeine was it because of carbonated pop? Or, do you know if it is the actual caffeine in all products?

2.) What is the pre-surgery reason for coming off caffeine?

The basis for my questions come from wondering if I can add a bit of caffeinated coffee to my diet right now (finals) - not pop (I'm tracking on carbonation), but coffee. I don't want to mess anything up, obviously, and I know my liver needs to shrink. Strikingly, I Googled a tiny bit and what I found was that the latest research indicates that coffee actually helps remove fat from the liver, thereby shrinking it. As you can imagine, that sounds positive for me, but....I want to check here and see if anyone knows that actual, specific medical reason (not just the blanket answer).

Thanks.

Red

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did not have a no caffeine rule pre-op so I'm not sure why you did but I know all doctors are different. I also only had a 1 day pre-op diet.

I stopped caffeine the day of surgery and haven't had any since.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

No caffeine restrictions here but carbonation is really tough on the tummy

I drink a Diet coke every morning it is hard to do but i need the caffeine to make me happy!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn’t have any restrictions pre-op so that wasn’t a problem, but my surgeon had some restrictions after surgery. Caffeine can act like a diuretic so they want to make sure you are hitting your daily Water goals before allowing it back. I was hitting my goals right after surgery but waited about a month until I started drinking it again. Good luck though, finals are definitely rough with no caffeine!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, RedDackel said:

Hi Everyone,

If I wasn't in the dread of finals week, I would research this myself, but I figured someone here might know the answer.

I'm in the pre-surgery diet stage, surgery is on the 18th. I have been following the no-caffeine rule and am off it; drinking Decaf.

My questions are:

1.) If your doctor took you off caffeine was it because of carbonated pop? Or, do you know if it is the actual caffeine in all products?

2.) What is the pre-surgery reason for coming off caffeine?

The basis for my questions come from wondering if I can add a bit of caffeinated coffee to my diet right now (finals) - not pop (I'm tracking on carbonation), but coffee. I don't want to mess anything up, obviously, and I know my liver needs to shrink. Strikingly, I Googled a tiny bit and what I found was that the latest research indicates that coffee actually helps remove fat from the liver, thereby shrinking it. As you can imagine, that sounds positive for me, but....I want to check here and see if anyone knows that actual, specific medical reason (not just the blanket answer).

Thanks.

Red

If you want a little black coffee during finals it won't do a thing, go for it ! 0 coffee 3 days prior and at least 30 days post you will be just fine , + what Karlee Al and Ivida said. I stopped 2 day pre op and wll wait 6-8 weeks ( a healing stappleline loves an + alkaline lower P H environment .) untill I bring it back. Love my morning coffee ! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told decalf before surgery, but at my 1 month follow up they said I could add it in in moderation. I have a 12 oz cup of coffee 4-5 days/week and my doctor is fine with that. They just said don't have like 3 cups a day.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it is to avoid any irritation that could delay healing or cause ulceration. I switched to Decaf as well, but then just went to herbal teas, as the decaf tasted like dirty Water after surgery. Avoid acid (even in decaf) is a good idea.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They had me wean off caffeine before surgery. I"m not sure if it was necessary for the surgery, or if they just wanted me weaned off ahead of time so it was one less change I'd need to make post-surgery (I couldn't have caffeine until I was six months post-op)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was just told to reduce it, I'm sure it can increase stomach acid. Caffeine also restricts blood vessels so wouldn't be good post op for healing but honestly if you could stick to one a day during exams you will be fine. Also good luck with them!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had no caffeine (hardest thing i have ever done physically- seriously) as of 3 days before surgery and i got back on the caffeine like 4 wish weeks after. Every Dr is different. I noticed Drs in Europe and some in Australia and even mexico say you can have caffein right away... it is the caffeine though not coffee in and of itself. Caffeine is acidic and can hurt your new sleeve so pre surgery it shouldn't be an issue really. I know some quit caffeine for life or years.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yea Aussie here my surgeon had no issues with coffee or tea in general

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×