On more than one occasion I have forgotten the no straw rule but nothing has happened.... At least that I know of. Of course as soon as I remember I stop using the straw. I don't drink sodas or anything (didn't preband either). I must admit that I really can't think of why we are not supposed to use them? Do they add gas? Do they hurt the band somehow?

My doctor says that you are inclined to take in too much air when you use a straw which can cause the pouch to swell and eventually droop over the band. You are suppose to be taking small sips of liquid, not glups. Also, I am not allowed to drink at all with meals. I can drink 30 min prior to eating and 30 min after eating.If you have a Realize band, the band also advises against using a straw. My nutritionist said I could order a glass of ice cubes and whatever liquid has melted at the end of the meal, I could drink slowly. When I go out somewhere that is where a straw is usually placed on table along with whatever you ordered to drink.....I don't order anything but the ice. Don't "play" with the rules. You will only hurt yourself. Good luck on your journey.

Oh I miss straws and only once have I almost used one accidently...in habit. Someone was trying to be nice and handed me a drink at work with a straw like before not knowing....I put it up to my mouth and then gasped! Then removed it. I was never told to sip...but my band tells me that gulping isn't going to work either. I was also never told no straws. I'm going to ask next time I'm there!

Never been told no straws either.

I use straws regularly and have never had a problem. that being said, I tend to sip (not gulp) with them. In fact, I think I drink slower with a straw.

Cindy

I wasn't told no straws either. Infact, when I get the water after a fill, it's with a straw. I actually find it's easier to take small sips with a straw. Typically I don't use one, it's just my preference.

my doctor told me specifically no straws because you can get more air than you should... I'm two weeks out from being banded and joined some old high school friends for lunch on Sunday... first time in forever the waiter brought me a water with the straw ALREADY in my drink! I almost, out of habit, started drinking, but then remembered ..and removed it.. it was actually good to have something to play with while my friends ate their meals! :confused:

Thanks for the replies! I am a sipper too with a straw. At work yesterday a drug rep brought us Starbucks- I got a passion tea on ice (unsweetened) and of course it came with a straw. I only drank about a 1/4 of it over many hours... so hopefully no damage done :biggrin:

I tend to sip with a straw rather than suck it down fast, and tend to gulp more without...I'm not sure what to do...question for my doc Fri. I'll post his answer.

My doc said as long as I don't gulp or get too gassy (burps) when I use one...that it is ok with him. The "not allowed" I was told was because it can cause you to swallow alot of air and give you discomfort, but this doesn't happen to me...so i use them all the time!

I was never told no straws and after reading stuff on here I asked, I was told that its an old myth that you take it more air with a straw. I love straws and dont think I could ever stop using them, esp with my starbucks!