Ok so why are they forbidden? I went out, ordered water and drank it before I realized I was using a straw...whoopsie...but I didn't have any excess gas or anything and I actually can get more fluids in by using a straw....so what is that rationale with no straws and no gum?

Apparently you swallow a lot of air with straws and gum. I know there are different schools of thought with it. It is related to avoiding carbonated beverages.

with a straw you are getting in a lot of extra air and gets you fuller faster. I found this out the hard way and had terrible pains. Gave up the straw and haven't had problems since. Gum dunno, haven't chewed gum in 15 or 20 years so don't know about that one. But if works for you, then don't see a problem.

i've used a straw since the first few days after my surgery. they have never bothered me and i don't think i could drink my Protein shakes without them (everything tastes better with a straw!) i feel like it is harder to take small sips with a straw, but like i said i never had a problem.

i have also chewed gum a couple of times. i knew i had ketosis breath and had gum with me, so i did it! again, i felt fine (i was 2 weeks out at this point). i'd listen to your surgeon though. my doctor didn't have any strict instructions regarding straws or gum!

I am three weeks out and have not used a straw but struggle to get the liquid in. I know the rational of not using a straw. If u think about it the liquid is not up to the top of the straw and u have to suck it up and there is a portion that is not in liquid. Maybe if I have a shorter straw or more liquid in the cup it will cut down how much air I swallow. I am going to try it ..........

Hi, I used to ask my surgeon everything I could think of during our 6 month visits. I asked about both the straw was extra air, but I still use one if anything I could always stop using it. But the gum I got a whole lecture on that. Gum if swallowed could be very bad, I guess because it doesn't disolve?? but the real problem he says is that gum actually makes your stomache think its getting ready to eat because of all the chewing and then signals to the brain to cause hunger also the air you swallow. But do what your doctor tells you.

My NUT said the no straws thing is old school. I had a straw with my lemon Water when we went out to eat last week, it was fine.

I have not had gum, but I get that it could be bad if you swallowed it- I have accidentally swallowed gum a few times.

-Kendra

I'm drinking my Fluid through a straw as I type.

And I have chewed gum but prefer mints now. My NUT also said the issue is the possibility of swallowing it

I think it's like everything else...it COULD cause gas pains, but might also be ok for you! Rule of thumb.....if it causes pain...Don't do it! If it doesn't...go for it!

I was not told no gum. Chewed some on day 5 following surgery. Accidentally swallowed it- panicked! Called my surgeon on the weekend, he said I would be just fine. 8 days later and I was and am perfectly fine.

I was told chewing gum after surgery you're more likely to swallow it for some reason, and in doing so it cannot be digested, and may become stuck in the stomach or get hung up on something and will most likely need to be removed. Meaning sticking something down your throat searching for it to pull it out. Sounds gross so I'm out! Haha

Ive used a straw since day one. Never an issue. But I never had any gas ever...so I'm a lucky one I reckon

I haven't swallowed gum since I was about 4 years old...lol. But I will ask the surgeon's office about the gum as well as the straw. Thanks everyone!

I haven't swallowed gum since I was about 4 years old...lol. But I will ask the surgeon's office about the gum as well as the straw. Thanks everyone!

That's what I told my NUT pre op. she said its better just to lose the habit of chewing gum. Lol

I found this online too...it is "pro-straw". I will def need to ask surgeon....

http://www.ehow.com/how_5663719_sip-straw-after-bariatric-surgery.html