Coffee anyone?

[Steelestrong]

My husband had his Ivor Lewis esophagectomy 2 years ago. My daughter is adamant that he should not have coffee, even if it's decaf, because its acidic. She especially doesn't want him to have it first thing in the morning. She believes the acidity maybe I gback the cancer. Any thoughts on this? What have you heard? Thank you.

[Nigelmartin]

I had IL 3 years ago and drink probably 10 cups a day and seems to have no effect on me at all. I sleep well at night although slightly elevated. I believe you have to have some enjoyment in life. I still ride a motorbike and do Judo on a regular basis, not easy but I've always pushed my self. I live in Thailand with no support from the hospital. Personally, your husband has to find what best for him and not what everyone else thinks is best for him. Your husband is the best judge.

[Steelestrong in reply to Nigelmartin]

Thanks Nigelmartin.

[PhysioD in reply to Nigelmartin]

Hi Nigelmartin. Hope you are doing well. Good to hear you still ride a motorbike. May I ask you how long it took post-op to get back riding it again please? My father in law rides and I’m worried he will struggle to get back on his bike post-op. Dawn x

[Nigelmartin in reply to PhysioD]

Of course, everyone is different, I was very fit although overweight. I was driving a car after one month but in considerable pain, I guess it took me a year to drive my bike, It was just too heavy for me, some 230kgs. In the end, I decide to change to a far lighter bike, about 170kgs. This I managed very well. I was on the Judo mat after one month. I can teach now, but it is now impossible to fight, I'm far too fragile for that.

[PhysioD in reply to Nigelmartin]

Thanks for your reply Nigelmartin. Sounds like you have done amazingly well. Great stuff! All the best to you and I’ll pass your story on to my father in law. Xxx

[shaughsearcher]

Hi, I had my Ivor Lewis 11 years ago and I love my coffee, I have two mugs in the morning and two mugs of decaf in the evening.no ill effects. I think you have to try everything and discount the ones that give you any problems,which you'll know soon enough. Hope this helps.best regards to you and your husband.

[Steelestrong in reply to shaughsearcher]

Thanks Shaughsearcher.

[sallym]

I often have a cup of coffee in the middle of the night if the going gets a bit tough, it might be against all advice to help sleep but it works for me. Your daughter is bound to be anxious to do the best, but I am still cancer free 24 yrs later. Sally

[Steelestrong in reply to sallym]

So happy to hear that. Bless you.

[Debbiewallis in reply to sallym]

Fantastic!!

[Kate1503]

My husband had his op only 3 months ago. He's not a coffee drinker but does eat and drink other stuff which is acidic - fruit, wine etc. We've had a whole list of instructions and advice from the nutritionalist and nowhere was coffee listed as a drink to be avoided. Not that my husband would have paid any attention anyway!! As other responders have said - eat and drink what you fancy. Your husband's body will soon tell him what's to be avoided! All the best and just enjoy! Kate

[Steelestrong]

Thanks Kate! My daughter is alternative when it comes to nutrition and diet. She has read that the acid feeds the cancer. She is very worried and worrisome. Steele

[David_K in reply to Steelestrong]

She needs to stop pushing her own ideals and think about her fathers quality of life!

[Steelestrong in reply to David_K]

I know. Thanks David.

[grandylynda]

Since my op in sept I find I can no longer drink black coffee filter or instant. It just tastes awful I know my taste buds are altered but thats the only thing I used to like and now cant stand. I do have a latte most days though and dont seem to need to have decaff. My durgeon did say that acid reflux could have caused the cancer. Since I still have that I cant see any point worrying too much about coffee. I had a lot of info on diet etc and banning coffee was not in the advice. My advice to anyone is to listen to your body and find what suits.

[Steelestrong in reply to grandylynda]

Thanks Lynda.

[Rayslife]

To be honest there is so much food and drink which is acidic? I think you have to be reasonable with yourself in not having to many restrictions in what you eat and drink, otherwise Life becomes a burden and depresses you.

Saying this I would say that alcohol has to be the worst thing you can consume, I have the occasional coffee but even one small glass of alcohol makes me very shaky and ill.So much has changed since my op?......They said it would be a Life changing op but I didn't fully appreciate how much it would.

You have to treat yourself occasionally having something to look forward to.

[Npride]

Hi Steelestrong. I cannot comment on the negatives of coffee as I am not a dietician or doctor and really you need to ask them for a definitive answer. However, what I can say is, that coffee enabled my husband to keep some of his meagre weight on. The reason being it took a long time to wean him onto full fat milk and ended up making coffee with just milk and no water. He could only drink a half a cup at a time and bought a special small mug for him. But this way he was literally drinking full fat milk with a tad of coffee for every drink. Good luck. xx

[Steelestrong]

Thank you. My husband never had to worry about losing too much weight as he was overweight to start with. He is a good eater, too. He drinks the cream on the top milk, which is another thing my kids worry about.

[Debbiewallis in reply to Steelestrong]

I think you need to let him eat things in moderation and enjoy food / drink again after all he’s been through one hell of an ordeal and your family won’t be doing their health any good by constantly worrying about Dad!

[Cromwell13]

I am a seven year survivor post total gastroectomy.

I more or less only drink coffee all day ,

I get minor reflux. I’m a firm believer in you must have some pleasures if coffee is your thing then do it. There are side effects to everything so in moderation I wouldn’t hesitate

Best wishes

Brian

[Hidden]

Not heard this at all, and coffee is on the diet list given as ok,,,???? Just had my op and i was offered coffee ,,, tea,,, as soon as could drink,

[Debbiewallis]

My husband is 10 months post op IL and in early months Coffee gave him ‘dumping’ but thankfully he’s back on it to his pleasure with no problems!

[Debbiewallis]

Also Tony has found that a drop of Port or Red wine really helps to settle his stomach before food and particularly after dumping syndrome!

[Steelestrong in reply to Debbiewallis]

That’s funny because Geoff had just bought some port and enjoyed some last night. Good to hear.

[David_K in reply to Steelestrong]

As I have said before, quality of life is important to say the least. To heck with what is good or bad for you, after this op all that goes out of the window. I am 2 years post IL and have really struggled, ie., breathing, taste buds, dumping, chest & back pain, weight loss, etc,etc,etc. After such an invasive operation which changes your whole life and life perception I feel it is important to enjoy and savour what you can tolerate. So I enjoy and make the most of what I can tolerate which is rich creamy food, steak, sausage/bacon, fruit, veggies, wine, whiskey, beer ( but small quantities as the gas blows me up).. It has taken me ages to know what I can now tolerate, but the most important thing I have learnt is to eat small quantities regularly and forget all the crap about what is unhealthy 🤗👌😎

All of us who had this op have been given a second life, make the most of it for as long as !!!!!

[Debbiewallis]

Brilliant!!🤗