I was told we are NEVER allowed to drink from a straw again. I haven't been out to dinner/take out food since my surgery but wonder, I hate drinking from the cups that come fwith a lid (paper/styrofoam) and really don't want to put my lips on the cups at restaurants.

Does anyone have any solutions to this rule?

This has come up a lot before and I say IMHO that the "no straw" rule is total BS. The fact is that when you suck on a straw you suck the Fluid up the straw and into your mouth where you typically exhale through your nose and minimize the air in the liquid and then swallow' date=' so I would say there is LESS chance of getting more air with a straw then with drinking with a regular cup. If you chug the liquid through a straw then MAYBE it's not for you.

Do what you want, I started out drinking through straws and have been for the almost 2 years post-op with no issues.[/quote']

It's more about head position. When you're drinking with a straw you are typically looking down with the fluid near your lips & air near the back of the throat. Hence through the sucking motion and forcing liquid up to your throat it mixes with air before swallowed.

Conversely when you drink without a straw you tilt your head back the liquid is pulled to the rear of your mouth by gravity & not churned with a sucking motion.

Not that I believe it really matters. I've done both & had no consequences other than a little burp or 2.

My program is a "no straw" program. It isn't an issue for me, when going out, because I don't drink for 30 minutes before or after a meal (I don't even bother getting a glass of water with a meal). I typically take a bottle of my own water with me where ever I go...even into restaurants...and no one has ever said a word to me about it.

Yes it's true no straws BUT everyone is different I am 7 weeks in down 32 lbs and from the beginning right after my surgery that was the only way I could get my fluids was with a straw without any discomfort. I tried sipping BUT that made me swallow so much air hurt my stomach something awfull. take it slow listen 2 your body. Like I said everyone is different but in the end always listen 2 your body.

I drink carbonated drinks at meals through a straw. That's like a trifecta of no-nos. I think a lot of these rules don't necessarily apply to us.

I drink out of my camelbak all the time. It's much bigger than any restaurant straw. I'm just careful not to swallow a bunch of air.

I found this at Walmart it's 14oz what about this?

I was told we are NEVER allowed to drink from a straw again. I haven't been out to dinner/take out food since my surgery but wonder, I hate drinking from the cups that come fwith a lid (paper/styrofoam) and really don't want to put my lips on the cups at restaurants.

Does anyone have any solutions to this rule?

I started using a straw at two weeks out. I never have any more air in my tummy.....I never had a problem and I am able to drink more using a straw. It was a win/win for me! I followed rules, but I poo poo'd this. I guess had I started having pain, I'd have stopped!!

I was told not to drink during meals but to leave a 30 minute time frame between liquids and solids. I always order a glass of Water just in case I would get something stuck in my throat or something weird like that. I haven't used a straw but I haven't needed the water during any of my dining experiences.

My doctor said to stop drinking just prior to eating and then wait for 30 minutes. I always order water with lemon before eating and challenge myself to get the entire glass down before I eat. I seldom drink water at home, so I need to drink as much as possible out. I drink tea and coffee at home.

What about a squeeze bottle like they use in boxing has a straw but the liquid is pushed not sucked into the mouth?

I drink through bicycle bottles all the time. If you squeeze it air will get pushed into your mouth. The trick is just don't swallow the air. No problem.

You might want to search for "straw" or "straw use" or something like that. This has come up very frequently. The best thing I can say is follow surgeon's orders.

That being said, there's really no rationale for not using a straw. Many, many (possibly most) people find they drink better/easier/more with a straw.

I know the reasons they give for not using them, but they just don't seem to hold up once you really look at the mechanics of what they say is happening. I think there's a straw "bandwagon" among VSG offices. Lots of bandwagons... definitely a straw bandwagon.

I have a host of other health issues and years ago my gastro doc told me no straws and no gum. (I can't burp ~ strange but true). Regardless, in regard to the styrofoam and take out cups I just tear a little notch on one side of the lid and drink from that. (Looks kind of like coffee lids do when you lift the notch) This way, no straw and I can go to movies, etc. without worry of what cup I'm getting and I don't have to remove the lid to drink.

I drink carbonated drinks at meals through a straw. That's like a trifecta of no-nos. I think a lot of these rules don't necessarily apply to us.

How far out are you?

I just had my final pre-op class and this came up. As with many things post-op' date=' each person will differ. She said try a straw, if it makes you have excess gas then don't use it. Simple. [/quote']

I wish all were that logical! Love it!

I drink carbonated drinks at meals through a straw. That's like a trifecta of no-nos. I think a lot of these rules don't necessarily apply to us.

Yikes