Exact Answer: After 30 Days
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy or VSG is a type of weight loss surgery wherein a surgical procedure is carried out to reduce the size of the stomach to further reduce or limit the food intake of the person. It is a minimally invasive procedure. VSG surgery is known to encourage the dropping of ghrelin, which is the hunger-causing hormone.
VSG surgery works principally on restricted portions and reduced hunger. It allows up to sixty percent of excess weight loss. VSG may seem like an easy way out, but it requires dietary changes that will allow it to sustain itself in the long term.
How Long After VSG Can I Drink Coffee?
Any type of weight loss surgery, including Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG), takes about 3 to 8 weeks to heal. Caffeine or Caffeinated drinks should be strictly avoided during the initial healing period. Soon after VSG, the stomach tends to be very sensitive and in a delicate state. It requires adequate time to heal and may require a long time before you can start consuming your normal daily food.
Reintroducing food to a person who has undergone this type of surgery is a very important task and has to be done with proper care and under medical guidance.
Every person has a different body type and requires different healing times depending on the type of surgery, the extent to which the body has been altered, other health issues, and other personal factors. Only once the body has healed and you can consume other common food should you try to consume coffee.
At the start when you begin to consume only liquid foods, maybe a day after the surgical procedure, many people assume that all liquids are consumable. That is not the case in most situations. When a person is put under a liquid diet, it is done to reduce the strain on the stomach and other parts and to promote healing.
Coffee or caffeine does not particularly help in healing and must be avoided for at least a month after the surgery.
| Time after which a person can consume coffee | Condition |
| 30 days | Healthy |
| 35-37 days | Minor health issues |
Why Can I Drink Coffee That Long After VSG?
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) is a procedure during which incisions are made in the stomach to reduce its size to about fifteen percent. This means that the stomach has undergone surgery and will take anywhere between 3- 4 weeks to heal. In addition to that, there is external incision healing which can take anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks to heal.
Since caffeine does not particularly promote healing and can be harsh on the stomach, all beverages containing caffeine like coffee- both hot and cold, soft drinks, etc. should be strictly avoided for at least 30 days.
During the post-operative phase, the patient is prescribed pain and other medication, coffee can interfere with the functioning of those medications as well. Before consuming coffee or caffeinated drinks even after 30 days, should be done in consultation with a medical practitioner or doctor.
Many people are addicted to their morning coffee, and sometimes for good reasons. Coffee is a diuretic, allowing water loss through urination. Dehydration is a major issue for patients after VSG surgery and consuming enough water is always a problem. Coffee, here only increases the issue.
Coffee also tends to cause increased gut motility, meaning it encourages excessive bowel movement. This, as we know can be harsh on the recovering stomach and can even result in excretion on undigested food. Coffee consumption can thus further increase the recovery period after the surgery.
Many people drink coffee for another property it has- it suppresses hunger. Most people see that as a benefit, especially those intending to lose weight. Post-surgery, when the stomach has reduced its capacity and the urge to eat is already at a record low, your body still needs a certain amount of protein and other nutrients in adequate amounts.
Having coffee in this state can cause almost no desire to eat, which can be extremely harmful to the body.
Conclusion
Coffee or caffeinated drinks may be part of one’s daily routine but must be avoided for at least a month or even more depending on personal circumstances and body conditions’ is a minimally invasive procedure, but the body requires time to heal and get back to its normal functions.
Coffee does not promote easy healing and can be harsh on the stomach and surrounding areas. It is best to avoid coffee for as long as possible by each person and then slowly introduce it in small quantities after consultation with a doctor