Well guys & gals, I have this burning desire to try using a straw. I just feel that it's often more convenient to drink with one, for example, when I get a light Lemonade at Wendy's through the drive through. I've read that a lot of you use one with no issues at all. I'm gonna try it today. Here it goes...

Oh, I will be 7wks out as of tomorrow.

I've been using a straw since day 1 on the hospital and I have no issues. Good luck!!

I've been using a straw since day 1 on the hospital and I have no issues. Good luck!!

Awesome! I'm trying to go back to as much of a "normal" life for myself as I can. Thanks for your response. :-)

I started using a straw maybe a week out from surgery (I'm 2 weeks out today).

I find I actually take smaller sips with a straw, and take in less air, so for me it's the exact opposite of why they tell you not to use one!

Sometimes you just gotra do what's right for you and go "against Dr.'s orders"!

Ok, this is really OFF topic, but related. It's a new issue this days of women who regularly use a straw or water bottle (but especially a straw) that they are now getting smoker lips. You know, the vertical lines above the lips. I'm not quite sure how to avoid this when I have to forever drink my liquids.

Ok, this is really OFF topic, but related. It's a new issue this days of women who regularly use a straw or Water bottle (but especially a straw) that they are now getting smoker lips. You know, the vertical lines above the lips. I'm not quite sure how to avoid this when I have to forever drink my liquids.

Yikes! That is something to be mindful of definitely!! I just took my first few drinks from the straw! LOL...who would've thought something this little would make me so excited! smh...too much time on my hands. :-) But, no issues so far.

Why would you do anything your told explicitly not to do by your surgeon, I don't get it...

If you weren't willing to follow your doctor's orders why would you have such a drastic surgery?? We aren't supposed to use straws because excess air will stretch our sleeves out. Why not go ahead and have a soda with that straw?

You're kidding yourself if you think using a straw decreases the amount of air you take in.

You won't feel anything now except some extra burps but in the long run it does cause problems......DON'T USE STRAWS!!! DON'T DRINK CARBONATED BEVERAGES!! Are you really willing to risk it just for convenience sake? I have seen it happen where the sleeve was stretched out and it's not a pretty thing. The girl was devastated!! Didn't think it would happen to her and she had no issues while using a straw but after 6 months at made a huge difference and she put back on 50 lbs. she cried all through the support group meeting. Please be smart and follow doctors advice!!!

My surgeon has allowed straws since the beginning. They do not stretch your stomach nor do carbonated drinks. If you have excess air in there, you burp.

Well, now is the time for everyone to know a little more about me. I'm NOT into drama. I ignore any negative comments & keep it moving. Thanks for all of the input. Have a great day! (Takes a drink from my straw & smiles) On the next visit with my surgeon, we'll see what he says about it.

You won't feel anything now except some extra burps but in the long run it does cause problems......DON'T USE STRAWS!!! DON'T DRINK CARBONATED BEVERAGES!! Are you really willing to risk it just for convenience sake? I have seen it happen where the sleeve was stretched out and it's not a pretty thing. The girl was devastated!! Didn't think it would happen to her and she had no issues while using a straw but after 6 months at made a huge difference and she put back on 50 lbs. she cried all through the support group meeting. Please be smart and follow doctors advice!!!

First, it's highly unlikely that air or carbonation will cause your sleeve to stretch. The fundus, which is the stretchy part of the stomach, is removed in this surgery, so the amount of stretch that people can get is really negligible. The fallacy of the stomach stretching comes from talking about gastric bypass, where there is still fundus left as part of the pouch, and it can stretch fairly easily.

What excess air and carbonation CAN do is result in significant discomfort, especially if your stomach is still healing.

Using a straw can be a problem if you tend to gulp with it. However, if you use the straw to pull a small amount of liquid into your mouth before you swallow (not straight into a gulp down your throat) there's really very little difference between that and sipping from a cup.

Time to relax and stop squawking at people, folks. It's good to be concerned for each other, but this is an insignificant blip on the "not following doctors orders" radar.

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I do what space dust says take a sip in

my mouth then transfer. When I try drink from a cup I take too much at a time and hurts even now at 9 mths out. Just be careful and don't gulp.

I only drink from a straw. Never quit. Oh lord, I wasn't prepared for this surgery!!!!!!!!

Anyway, I've never had a problem.

First, it's highly unlikely that air or carbonation will cause your sleeve to stretch. The fundus, which is the stretchy part of the stomach, is removed in this surgery, so the amount of stretch that people can get is really negligible. The fallacy of the stomach stretching comes from talking about gastric bypass, where there is still fundus left as part of the pouch, and it can stretch fairly easily.

What excess air and carbonation CAN do is result in significant discomfort, especially if your stomach is still healing.

Using a straw can be a problem if you tend to gulp with it. However, if you use the straw to pull a small amount of liquid into your mouth before you swallow (not straight into a gulp down your throat) there's really very little difference between that and sipping from a cup.

Time to relax and stop squawking at people, folks. It's good to be concerned for each other, but this is an insignificant blip on the "not following doctors orders" radar.

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Thank you so much for your input. :-)