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Question-I have not used a straw since being banded because I was told not to but on my blog today someone said they never heard that rule before........do you guys drink out of straws?

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My doctor told me the same thing not to use a straw. I've seen alot of different things on here my doctor said "No no" but others our doing it. I don't get it either but I have been deligent in following my doctors instructions.

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I was told not to as well. Straws draw additional air in and can cause that awful "pain-in-the-shoulder" thing from gas.

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I've used them on occasion mainly because I've read on these sites about not using them. I am careful to drink slowly through them as I don't want to suck down too much air but I haven't felt any negative effects from using them.

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Not only do they say not to use them because of air, but the amount you drink is more and that could stretch your stomach out. The same goes for carbonated drinks, they cause your stomach to expand because of air. If you do use straws or drink a carbonated beverage, use moderation, don't do it everyday. I noticed when I was first banded that carbonated bevs caused painful gas build up. Now that I need a fill, not so much. Also, my Dr said something about the excess air and burping could potentially cause band slippage.

Moral of the story, I don't use straws, I have maybe one or two carbonated bevs a week ( I love an ice cold beer now and then) and I listen to my Dr. (Don't tell her I am drinking empty calories PLEASE)

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I have had my lapband for almost 4 years. It has not only been life changing but also life altering. I don't know how to think thin and I am still struggling with the desire to eat more than I should or even want. I mean to be honest I don't recognize full anymore than I recognize true hunger. For the most part I have been successful but the battle isn't over - I don't think the war ever really is. I had lost almost 100 pounds but recently have put 20 pounds back on. I am really having a hard time physically and emotionally with this set back. Nevertheless, after this recent fill (I previously had to have all the Fluid taken out of my band because I got a really bad stomach flu and I was also facing sinus surgery; hence, no fluid for several months!) I have been struggling with throwing up and a lot of air in my band. The air is so uncomfortable that I find myself throwing up in an attempt to relieve some of the pressure. Any ideas - has anyone ever had this problem before? I don't have a lot of fluid in my band but I am concerned.

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I use a straw nearly every day. It doesn't cause me any problems. My dr says the recommendation to not use straws is because it can cause people discomfort but it's ok if I use one.

I tried to go without straws...I didn't realize how often I used a straw until I was trying to avoid them after surgery LOL!

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My doctor is fine with using straws .. i use a thin straw tho :)

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im not banded yet ..but that was one of the first things they told me NO STRAW after the surgery .... :unsure:

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On the way home I was listening to John Tesh and he said , people shouldn't use straws because it causes the skin around the mouth to stretch when you pucker, and as we age it will be more visible...and look more aged... :blink:

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lol..... :lol: i guess thats a good enough reason ....

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Question-I have not used a straw since being banded because I was told not to but on my blog today someone said they never heard that rule before........do you guys drink out of straws?

The dietician told me not to use a straw.

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I didn't use a straw at first...from what I heard here about not doing it! But to be honest I don't even remember my doctor telling me not to...or the dietitian...The only time I do drink out of one is when I get an iced coffee...and that isn't every day. And I definitely don't drink carbonated beverages. But I do take my time and drink slowly ..because I always have even before the band..and I have not had any problems at all with it.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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