Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How to YOU feel about STRAWS?



Recommended Posts

So I was just wondering what the consensus was out there about using a straw. I know I was told not to as I would take in too much air. I have not noticed this, however, I can't chew gum. That does make me take in too much air. How do you fellow bandsters out there deal with straws?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I love straws. Always did.... so when my Dr said no straws I was unhappy but followed his advice for the first 6 months. Now I use them in moderation 1-2x per week and make sure to sip and not suck too much air in.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i don't have any issues now with straws, but the first few weeks they caused me alot of gas. now i can use them with no issues.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doctor said straws are OK if you can handle it. I usually only use them if I'm driving. Be careful chewing gum. If you accidentally swallow it you're in for problems.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doctor said straws are OK if you can handle it. I usually only use them if I'm driving. Be careful chewing gum. If you accidentally swallow it you're in for problems.

Yeah, I stay away from gum!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use them all the time - every morning with my Protein Shake and when we go out to eat. I have never had any problems with gas from them. My doctor advised me to stay away from them during my post op phase but is now ok with the use.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you look at how a straw works you'll see that the level of liquid in the straw is the same as the level in the container. From the top of the liquid to the top of the straw

is air. Every time you drink, you swallow that amount of air. If it bothers you, don't do it, if it doesn't cause you distress, you're good to go. But do what your doctor tells

you anyway ; > )

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree, I never used straws for about the 1st 18 months. But,now, I use them a lot. I find that I do sip instead of gulp my fruit smoothies. If I don't use one, I tend to drink too much smoothie at one time. Then. I am unhappy, as I have to wait for the smoothie to go down. Yuck! good luck, Karen

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am so glad to read others use a straw, I have not been, but I am having the hardest time and it makes such a mess to go thru a drive thru and poor my drink into something else so it does not make a mess, but than I make a mess pooring it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In my post-op phases, I never used straws. Now, I actually prefer using a straw. I have a water bottle with a built-in straw and I actually find that I drink MORE Water and more frequently when I'm sipping from that water bottle. It really helps me to get my water in each day. But honestly, I think after you've been banded for awhile it's just personal preference and, like a lot of foods, whether or not your band can handle it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

yikes---I don't remember my doc saying anything about using or NOT using a straw! I've been using a straw since day 3 post-op when I was allowed to start full liquids & Protein shakes. Its the only way I can get the Protein shake down.....(somehow, it tastes better with a straw??)

blink.gif

No problems yet--day 8 post op, so guess I am OK?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told that using straws was not a good idea, but that if I needed a straw, to bite the end of it while drinking, so that I wouldn't take in as much air.

When I don't use a straw, I tend to spill the drink all over myself, usually when drinking iced tea or Water. LOL

That said, I occasionally use a straw and bite the end the entire time I take a sip. Even if I forget to bite it, I've never had a problem with taking in too much air.

I didn't start using a straw until after about 8 weeks post-op, but even now don't use one all the time for every drink like I did pre-op.

I know a few banded friends that use a straw all the time and don't bother biting it, and they don't have any issues.

You'll find what works for you. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Using a straw is perfectly safe. It's no different than drinking from a cup where you start to sip before the Fluid hits your lips. While you may get some extra gas for belching if it helps you drink more then it's worth it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was never told to avoid straws. In fact, the surgeon told me to use a straw for everything for the first few days, because it would make me sip more than gulp.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×