Just curious to know if you think it's still a bad idea at 4 weeks out to go for the straw. I think I could drink more if I use one but not sure how bad the extra air is for me. The Dr. said not to use one but thought I'd see if there were any rebels out there and if so, did it cause any problems?

Thanks

Day after my op - I was given straws in the hospital at every meal. The first day I was only allowed ice chips.

I waited like 2 days post-op. I have always been a straw drinker and I probably always will be. For me it actually helped because I love a straw. I am not a gulper, I am still a sipper, and always have been. However, you do take in more air with a straw and for that I paid. The price was 2 little burps for every one sip of Water I took. Oh well, it was gone by about the 3 week mark.

I'm not advising you to go against your drs. orders, but rather just sharing what I did.

5 days--My Dr.'s instructions actually say that drinking from a straw may help take smaller sips and get the fluid in. I tried sippy cups bu straws are way easier.

I started about a week after, it helps me get my fluids in better than drinking from a glass

I am two weeks out and use a straw all the time, better yet, I have a Camelbak and LOVE IT! And I have personally not had issues with either one. I would try it, wait a little bit and if you have no issues go for it! If it helps get in the liquids I don't think it's going to be that big of deal.

Yep, me too - I use a straw or sippy cup with a built in straw ALL the time even though there are a few that suggest NOT using one. Their reasoning is that you swallow the column of air that is in the straw and it ends up in your stomach. I call BS on this as when I suck on a straw I pull a vacuum in my mouth by pushing air OUT and then expanding my cheeks, when the Fluid hits I get a mouthful break the vacuum and THEN swallow.

I agree that you get smaller sips when using a straw and - especially post op - it is easier to swallow small sips.

Thanks! These are all answers I like to hear - I'm going for it!

My nut said no straws, but the nurse gave me one right in the recovery room. She agreed with Rootman - BS on the whole air thing. They were the ONLY way I got liquids in those first few weeks.

What does your surgeon say?

I'm 7 weeks out and I still do not use one. I was told not to.

No straw=major belching. Have used a straw since day one and am very uncomfortable if I don't.

I'm more prone to gulping if I don't have a straw. I've been using a straw since maybe a few days to a week out? I've always got my cup of ice & water with a straw by my side at all times now. I was a big straw addict before surgery and that hasn't changed. I feel like I get too much if I'm drinking straight from a cup or bottle of whatever.

I am going on 3 1/2 months out and I just started using a straw a couple of weeks ago.. Up to that point I had tried using one a few times here and there "can't go to a restraunt and drink from a cup without a straw" however each time I tried I hurt for 20-30 minutes after.. Right at my 3 month mark I was just fine drinking from a straw..