I read on my post-op paper work not to use straws. I am sure it is a very simple answer, but why not? And is this forever?

my new nutritionist says its for 6mos from surgery only because they put so much gas in you to move around during your surgery and using a straw with contribute more air.

I think it has something to do with air trapping and causing pain from a stuck bubble. I obeyed for a long time (months) and one day w/o thinking I used a straw and had no problem....the rest is history.

Good luck,

Mimi

THank you for the quick responses! You all are the best!

Makes sense, and I will definitely abide by those rules, but I do love straws!

Thanks again

I listened to that rule for about a week. I have not had any problems from drinking through a straw

That is so funny because I was told to USE a straw for the exact same reasons, gas. Apparently, the belief of my surgical team says to use a straw to prevent gulping air and causing air locks. Not quite sure what an air lock is, but I don't want one. So I have been using a straw since my first sips of water in the hospital. I have had no problems at all. So weird how doctors have different philosophies.

I was told not to EVER use a straw again but I have 2 banded friends that do.

So are you using I could try it and it won't hurt my band?

This is really interesting to me. I too was told never to use a straw or drink champagne. I have used a straw a few times and I do feel like I have more gas when I do. But I agree everybody has different reactions. I know some people say soda kills them but it does not hurt me.

I started using a straw a couple of weeks ago. It does put more air in your stomach. But I've been able to burp the air back up. I drink more Water with my straw than without. After I get my second fill, I won't drink out of straws again for a couple of months.

I was told not to drink anything with carbonation...ever. But I do have a friend who had gastric 6 years ago and she doesn't seem to have any problems. But who knows if her stomach is being stretched out.

I use them whenever I want. I personally think it causes more gas or even causes gas. 5 months post-op I just burp some if I use a straw. I do take sips of soda but because of calories I dont drink more then a few sips. I have a friend that says soda hurt because of gas build up. I guess it depends on how big your stoma is. Oh, she said champagne is the worst feeling ever.

I was not told no straws. Infact, when I get my water after a fill it's with a straw. I find it easier to take small sips through a straw. Funny how doctors are so different. I would say if you really enjoy straws, there is probably no harm in it. If it gives you gas trouble, stop. Best wishes!

Is didn't use them at first but now I do and it's no problem.

I use a straw if I get something to drink out, such as an unsweetend ice tea, while waiting for my food. I like to have a beverage at the table just in case food is unexpectedly spicy. Didn't have one once & ordered something that turned out to be wicked spicy, my mouth was sorry lol!!

No issues when I do drink with a straw.

I had the worse pain in my shoulder, I guess it was gas pushing on my shoulder blade. Even though my instructions I received from my doctor said nothing about a straw the support group i attended suggested not using it and lo and behold the pain went away. My doctor claimed there are mixed reviews on whether or not to use a straw, I would say just to listen to your body, trial and error which is what we do with most things now that we're banded. I still use a straw but every now and then. I was using it for everything I was drinking.

I never heard of this until after I was banded. I thought it was interesting to hear because after my surgery my doc gave me a glass of Water with a straw to drink out of.

Though i don't usually use a straw with drinks sometimes I do when I am out and it has never been a problem. Sometimes docs say it is bad sometimes other docs dont seem to think it is a problem.

It is like the topic of chewing gum some are for or against it.

Before I could go home on the day of surgery, I had to eat and drink something (Jello and broth). They put a straw in my broth and in my Water glass. I have less gas with a straw than without because the straw doesn't allow me to 'gulp'. That's not true if I use a straw in carbonated beverages. It almost seems like the straw causes more bubbles.

.