I'm just curious, this was never explained in detail to me.

You tend to take more air in when using a straw was the reason I was given.

Yep it puts to much air in your stomach.

Yep it puts to much air in your stomach.

Never heard of that one, I would think it was just the opposite, I suck a ton of air when I "sip" on Water and ice use a straw and dont get near as much. Besides no one ever heard of burping?

I look at it this way, what drinks "need" a straw....milkshakes, frappecinos, smoothies....other thick calorie dense drinks that are best avoided anyway? I look at the risk of too much air that will make me uncomfortable even if I can figure out how to burp as an extra reinforcement of my just-say-no to the beverages that I used to love and got me where I used to be....:cursing:

I drink with a straw all the time. I was never told not to , so i never became scared of the straw, I use it all the time and nothing difference happens.

Never heard of that one, I would think it was just the opposite, I suck a ton of air when I "sip" on Water and ice use a straw and dont get near as much. Besides no one ever heard of burping?

Taking on the air stretches a new pouch....burping or not.

I was also never told not to use a straw. I haven't noticed any problems with it.

I drink with a straw all the time. I was never told not to , so i never became scared of the straw, I use it all the time and nothing difference happens.

I'm the same. My Dr. told me unless it made me uncomfortable there was no problem with it.

Here's my dilemma. I used to always use a straw. Always. Bought the bags of them at the store and used them up. But now, I'm NOT using a straw (saw on these boards not to) and I'm burping and have more hiccups than I've had in my life! I don't know whether it's related to the new band or getting used to drinking without a straw. I know a nice insulated bottle with a straw top for my water would be wonderful right now....

I was told no straw for the same reasons given here. Since being banded I find it very difficult to burp at all, so pulling in air that will be hard or painful is just not worth it. I forgot and used a straw at the movies w/ iced tea. Suddenly I felt so uncomfortable and it took awhile to figure out why. Chomped on some Gas-X and finally was able to ease the gas.

Just another inconsistency in doctor given advice.

I had a whole lot of trouble in the beginning with the trapped gas pains and was told to avoid not only using a straw, but chewing gum. It causes you to swallow a lot more air that can cause problems.

Well, thank goodness no one told me not to use a straw. I'm not sure I could drink iced tea properly without one.:cursing:

I think it is probably an individual thing. I know I've tried to not use a straw in general. But, if I'm out and am served my drink w/a straw, I tend to forget and just start drinking out of the straw. So far, I haven't noticed any difference.

I was an avid straw user before surgery and at my last appointment I asked the PA if it was a big deal and she said it won't hurt my pouch, but it may make me uncomfortable. She said I can try using a straw and see how it goes if I get too much air and I am personally uncomfortable just stop using them. Hope that help :thumbup:

Yep, same for me...was told to give it a try...I do NOT like the extra air..not worth it to me. Same for gum!