Why no caffeine after bariatric surgery?
Reading time: 5 minutes
Patients often wonder why surgeons say no to caffeine after Gastric Sleeve or Bypass. After bariatric surgery, patients may be advised to wait up to 4 weeks or longer before drinking caffeine again.
Bariatric programs differ in the length of time to avoid caffeine, but the reasoning is similar. The concerns are primarily to avoid ulcers and to stay hydrated.
If your jaw dropped when you heard no coffee for a month after bariatric surgery, keep reading. In this article we’ll cover:
Why no caffeine after bariatric surgery
Why do programs differ on when you can drink caffeine
What you can have in the meantime
What to consider when you add caffeine back (and in the daily post-op life)
What gives? Why the No-Caffeine Rule After Bariatric Surgery?
For surgeons, their concern often lies in the risk of causing an ulcer in your healing stomach after bariatric surgery. Your stomach is inflamed and healing after Gastric Sleeve or Bypass and caffeine is an irritant.
Truth be told, caffeine hasn’t been found to lead to ulcers but what is more likely to cause an ulcer is taking NSAIDs (like ibuprofen). Nonetheless, putting an irritant in a healing stomach is not ideal so many programs will advise waiting two to four weeks, or longer.
The bigger concern, especially where Dietitians like myself are concerned, is related to hydration. After bariatric surgery, you are at a higher risk of dehydration. Especially in those early weeks when your inflamed stomach can’t get a whole lot down at once.
We want to feel confident that you can stay hydrated before we add in foods and before we add in caffeinated drinks. As time goes on, you will be able to drink more fluids at one time and it becomes easier to hit water goals.
ALTHOUGH…it’s a controversy here too. There is plenty of supportive research that coffee is hydrating and doesn’t cause dehydration. This is why recommendations start to differ.
My stance? Get your 64-96 ounces of water in and enjoy your coffee (once you’re cleared) but don’t count it towards water.
Why do bariatric programs differ on how long you have to wait to drink caffeine after surgery?
It can be confusing when you receive different instructions about eating and drinking after bariatric surgery than someone else.
You might notice threads online or have a conversation with a family member who wasn’t told the same things you were. What’s going on here?
In short, there is no evidence to support a specific protocol for post-surgical diet stages. There are some general consistencies but there will be different approaches based on what the surgeon and their staff feel is best. We see this in other medical settings too. Some doctors may be more cautious than others. In the end, it’s best to follow the guidance of the team who is overseeing your care.
What you can have in the meantime
When you’re looking for a warm cup of joe, the good news is you are likely okay to have decaf. (I know, I know.) While decaf is not completely caffeine free it’s still a much lower content and doesn’t cause the concern of hydration or irritation.
However.
If you tend to be a bit heavy-handed with Coffeemate® you’ll have to watch your portions closely. In those early phases of the clear liquid and full liquid diet, too much creamer means it’s no longer a low-calorie liquid.
You can measure out the two tablespoons and mind how many coffees you have in the day. If you like your ratio of creamer to coffee on the higher end, you will want less decaf coffee in your cup so you can keep your creamer serving buttoned up.
Herbal tea is another great way to get a warm beverage without the concern of caffeine or sweetened creamers. Swap your coffee or black tea for caffeine-free herbal teas. Chamomile for relaxation or my all-time favorite, Bengal Spice from Celestial Seasonings®.
Keep in mind, that hydration is of the utmost importance in your healing phase. You’ll want to try different temperatures, flavors, and water bottles to see what works best.
What to consider when you add caffeine back in
Once you are cleared to add caffeine back in, you may still be given a limit. It’s also likely your program will not count tea or coffee towards your water intake.
You’ll still need to consider what you put in your coffee and if you are hitting your water goals.
There are a few other considerations as well.
Dumping Syndrome Dilemma:
Rapid food transit leads to dumping syndrome. Caffeine revs up digestion, increasing this risk (and so does high amounts of coffee creamer). This is something to watch if you find yourself having a lot of loose or rapid stools.
Nutrient Absorption:
Because of the tannins in tea and coffee, avoid taking your vitamins with either of these beverages. Tea is especially high in tannins and inhibits the absorption of iron. Avid tea drinkers are known to have low iron. Avoid your iron-containing supplements within a couple of hours of drinking tea (or coffee).
Acid Reflux Risks:
Digestive changes post-surgery can trigger acid reflux. Caffeine adds fuel to the fire, increasing stomach acid production and worsening symptoms. If you struggle with reflux, you probably already know coffee isn’t helpful.
Carbonation:
Patients often ask if and when they can have diet soft drinks. Most programs will have you wait six months or longer to try carbonation and will recommend allowing the fizz to leave the drink for a few minutes before taking a sip. Pay attention to if it causes gas, bloating, belching, discomfort, or filling you up that you aren’t eating adequate nutrition at your mealtimes. The other thing we see with diet sodas is an increase in cravings for snacks, so it helps to be honest if it’s helpful or not to add in diet sodas on occasion.
In Conclusion:
While caffeine might be a daily ritual for many, the post-bariatric journey calls for a decaf detour. The good news is, it will be temporary! Follow your doctor’s lead, make wise beverage choices, and support your body’s healing journey.
