Coffee actually isn't a diuretic -- at least not any more than any other fluid. Unfortunately I can't post links here, but if you Google it you'll see good information and recent studies posted by the Mayo Clinic, NY Times, BBC, etc. showing that coffee is not a diuretic.
My team wanted me to give it up for six months since it is a gastric irritant. I didn't last that long to be honest. I've done really well at following their instructions but I failed on that one.

Per my surgeon, caffeine irritates the lining of the stomach, so that's why prior to surgery they tell us to wean off the regular and stay off until we are healed. This is true because even now, 3 years post op, I will get a stomach ache from plain regular coffee. A little cream is all I need to avoid that and since I'm addicted, I build it into my calories for the day. Anyway, like I said, I am 3 years out and have been back on regular since about 6 months post-op. It doesn't make me hungry or act as a diueretic for me. Everyone reacts differently though, so follow what your doctor tells you.

PS - I can tell the difference in taste between regular and decaf. Some people can't, but personally I prefer the taste of regular coffee over decaff, which is why I switched back once the doctor gave me the all clear.

Pat

Once I got my Nov. 10 surgery date last week, I have started weaning down on caffeine. I'm currently mixing 2/3 Regular with 1/3 Decaf. I do have lingering headaches if I don't take in enough caffeine but I knew that would be part of the process of caffeine withdrawal as I've had these headaches before. I don't smoke and rarely have alcohol but don't take away my coffee. lol. I'm gonna be a bear by the time I start the 2 week liquid fast (only Diabetic Boost) for 2 weeks on Oct. 26th.
I sure hope I don't have to wait 6 months to have real coffee as it is one of my favorite things and it's hard to for me to start my day without it. I know it's a small price to pay and that it's well worth it, but I sure hope I can resume having a few cups of regular coffee once I am healed enough.

Thanks for the encouraging words pawoodhull. I am used to drinking very strong coffee so even cutting down the caffeine by 1/3 is a significant difference for me. I like drinking non-caffeinated tea at night with lemon juice and Splenda but really need that coffee start in the AM.
I have a question for you. It is Syntrax Nectar that makes the Cappuccino flavor? Does it have caffeine in it?
What were your favorite flavors of Syntrax Nectar in early recovery. I'm thinking of the juice flavors as I already have Premier Protein Chocolate and I love Muscle Mlk too. I hear the Atkins shakes & protein bars are really good products.
I would appreciate any advice you have to offer if you wanna post or message me privately. Thanks very much.

You can't have coffee after surgery. You will feel yucky enough, you don't need the caffeine headache on top of it.

Figure out the coffee after you've healed. Your tastes will totally change and you may feel so good being off the caffeine, you may not want to revisit the addiction. You may not like coffee so much after the surgery. I stayed off it. I don't want anything messing with my appetitie. Sometimes I want a cup. Like once every few weeks. Everything changes in the months after surgery, so don't worry about what you can and you can't eat. You're going to find that stuff you really want you don't want anymore, or doesn't taste as good as you remembered.

It all changes.

I did decaf after 2 months and started back in with 1/2 caf after my 6 month appointment. It was less about taste/habit/caffeine and more about doing something to feel "normal" again.

For me coffee is a real appetite killer. When head hunger strikes hard I just make a latte with the carbmaster high protein milk. That way i hydrate and fortify my protein. I was off coffee for only a little while after surg. Didn't want it. I also don't drink coffee when I am sick, I want herbal tea then.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE coffee-- LOVE IT.... but I detoxed off of caffeine before surgery and do not want to have to do that again, so I drink decaf now-- but I still drink a lot (probably too much... trying to alternate with herbal tea these days but it is tough!).

I drink more coffee than I ever did before surgery. Started at about 2 months I guess. My husband notices the coffee jar going down much more rapidly nowadays.
I guess I don't drink fizzy drinks or juice and so coffee is it for me. Hated it as a kid and young adult. Love love love it now.

renovagirl wrote: »

relentless - I love, love, LOVE Syntrax Nectar Cappuccino Latte. I have it every day, I mix one packet (I buy it in the grab & go packs) into 8 oz of decaf coffee and fill the cup with ice, It's amazing and a great way to get in your protein. And it's caffeine free

I love this idea! I've had the Cappuccino flavor and I loved it.