I apologize if this post is in the wrong category. I'm new here!

I'm in the pre-op phase, almost done with completing my requirements for VSG.

I've previously been a big fan of caffeine tablets. Like Jet-Alert or No-Doz. Never been a big coffee drinker. I would have about 100mg a few times a day M-F and a couple on the weekends if we were going to be busy. My husband is a huge coffee drinker and it seems I have 100mgs about as often and in the same fashion as he has a cup of coffee.

Just wondering how everyone has been able to handle caffeine after surgery and when it was allowed (if ever)? How much? Around meals? Not at all?

I understand that each doctor has different guidelines. What limits were you given at different points after surgery?

you're right - surgeons are all over the board on this one. There seems to be no consensus at all. I know people who were drinking coffee while they were still in the hospital! My surgeon allowed decaf fairly quickly out - maybe three weeks out or something? (I can't remember - it's been awhile). We weren't allowed to have caffeinated coffee until we were six months out, and then we had to limit it to 1-2 cups a day. But again, that's just my clinic. Some surgeons aren't that strict (well, and on the flip side, some are even MORE strict - some tell you never to drink caffeinated coffee again for the rest of your life...)

Edited April 4, 20215 yr by catwoman7

you're right - surgeons are all over the board on this one. There seems to be no consensus at all. I know people who were drinking coffee while they were still in the hospital! My surgeon allowed Decaf fairly quickly out - maybe three weeks out or something? (I can't remember - it's been awhile). We weren't allowed to have caffeinated coffee until we were six months out, and then we had to limit it to 1-2 cups a day. But again, that's just my clinic. Some surgeons aren't that strict (well, and on the flip side, some are even MORE strict - some tell you never to drink caffeinated coffee again for the rest of your life...)

That's exactly what I was wondering. I'm super curious about this. Of course, I'll find out what my guidelines are shortly. Thanks for the info!

Four years out and no problems, each doctor is different but mine let me have it post op day 2

I was offered coffee in the hospital the morning after surgery. When I asked about it thinking it was a mistake he said one cup is fine to have per day.

I was allowed caffeine 2 weeks post-op. However, for every 8 ounces of coffee I have, I need to drink 8 ounces of more water a day. The fear of caffeine stems from getting dehydrated with is the number one concern after surgery. You need to be careful to drink enough clear liquids, hopefully water.

As for caffeine tablets or other sources other than coffee... I'm unsure. Best practice is to call your surgeon's clinic and talk to a bariatric dietician for guidelines.

My sugery was 4 January, and I comfortably started coffee 2 weeks later. Now I am back to a max of 4 cups a day.

This has been super helpful. None of these guidelines seem unreasonable at all! I was a bit worried about not being able to tolerate caffeine/coffee. I'll find out shortly what my limits will be at different stages.

20 minutes ago, A1220M said:

This has been super helpful. None of these guidelines seem unreasonable at all! I was a bit worried about not being able to tolerate caffeine/coffee. I'll find out shortly what my limits will be at different stages.

I will say that I can't drink the aount of coffee like I once did. Before VSG, I have 3 cups of coffee measuring at 14 ounces each. Now.. I'll be lucky if I can drink one cup of 12 ounces. Though I am only 5 weeks out.

I was told to avoid caffeine for the first 30 days due to the potential diuretic effect, and they wanted to make sure I got enough fluids. Now almost 9 months out, I am back to my normal caffeine habit, 2-4 large cups per day.

5 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I know people who were drinking coffee while they were still in the hospital!

I was one of these, LOL. I had regular coffee with my breakfast in the hospital. My bariatric team didn't have a rule about coffee but they did say not everyone tolerates it well right after surgery. I had no problems and never stopped drinking my one cup a day.

I was one of these, LOL. I had regular coffee with my Breakfast in the hospital. My bariatric team didn't have a rule about coffee but they did say not everyone tolerates it well right after surgery. I had no problems and never stopped drinking my one cup a day.

Good to know!!

I’m a devoted coffee drinker- I drank coffee 3 days after surgery and have continued ever since. I have a latte for breakfast every day and a cup of coffee in the afternoon.

I’ve never had a problem, but I tended to have a cast iron stomach before surgery, and that’s held true after surgery as well.

I’m a devoted coffee drinker- I drank coffee 3 days after surgery and have continued ever since. I have a latte for Breakfast every day and a cup of coffee in the afternoon.

I’ve never had a problem, but I tended to have a cast Iron stomach before surgery, and that’s held true after surgery as well.

That's what I'd like to do! [emoji3595]

I was told to ween myself off of caffeine the weeks leading up to surgery and then no caffeine for a month afterwards. Dietician said it irritates the lining of the stomach. I'll follow directions, but I honestly have no idea how I'll function without it. I've got 2 pre op requirements left, so I have lots of time to slowly decrease my intake.

Did you specifically ask your surgical team about caffeine pills? I mean, do they know you are taking them? I would make sure they understand you are not asking about coffee but specifically caffeine pills, because pills are different than liquids and they might have different rules. I say this because it seems like everyone here is responding with answers pertaining to how their doctors felt about coffee or caffeinated drinks, not caffeine pills. I would make sure your surgery team understands you are asking about pill-form caffeine.

Good luck!

12 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

Did you specifically ask your surgical team about caffeine pills? I mean, do they know you are taking them? I would make sure they understand you are not asking about coffee but specifically caffeine pills, because pills are different than liquids and they might have different rules. I say this because it seems like everyone here is responding with answers pertaining to how their doctors felt about coffee or caffeinated drinks, not caffeine pills. I would make sure your surgery team understands you are asking about pill-form caffeine.

Good luck!

Thank you! I was thinking the same thing. I very much appreciate everyone's input.

And yes, I did ask the surgeon and the dietician about caffeine pills specifically (not coffee). I listed it as medication on all of my paperwork so they understood. Obviously I'll stop taking it when they ask me to, but I wanted to know what the future will look like post-op with or without them (or any other caffeine source, for that matter).

The dietician let me know that I can continue the tablets if I'd like to as early as one month after surgery. She advised I try to stop any caffeine now so that when I do my 2 weeks liquid diet I won't be in withdrawal. I've since dropped down to 100mg a day and will stop that when I get a surgery date.