If drinking from a straw doesnt hurt you or make you feel full is it okay if I do? I feel like I can drink a lot more this way...esp if im driving. Today I got a venti water at Starbucks and started drinking it with the straw because I forgot and I was fine...ive had around 40oz of water today

The warning against straws is that (a) you can introduce more air into your system and ( you tend to take larger "sips" with them. Having said that, I've found that I'm fine with both warnings and am happily sipping an unsweetened iced tea through a straw as we speak .

I use straws because they help me take smaller sips. I was told not to use them because it causes you to swallow air and gives you extra gas, but I have not had a problem with that.

Yeah even larger sips dont seem to hurt me too much. As long as nothing bad can happen to my sleeve from using them I'm good. Thanks !

Found a similar thread for ya: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/27894-no-straws-after-gastric-sleeve-surgery/

I believe the straw concerns are only relevant for the first couple weeks post op, after that my surgeon didn't care at all if I was using a straw.

straw - okay

Janice5/23

theres an expression here around the neighborhood.............

just cuz you can, doesn't mean you should!!!!

my NUT told me never, ever, ever use a straw!!!!

but............some/your NUT might tell you that straws are ok

I agree w/Richard - that if you must/want/prefer to use a straw

give yourself a few weeks, to let your poor tummy to heal before you do the "deed"

good luck

kathy

My Surgeon and NUT have never said that I couldnt use a straw. I didnt for a long time because of all the people who have been told not to. Now after 9 months, I do use one and it doesnt bother me and I am able to drink much more using it. But I would wait a while for your new tummy to heal before you try it. Have a super day!

this question came up at our hospital WLS support group this week...the NUT there said the same thing about some people taking in more air through straws, but that if it didn't give you problems, you could use a straw...I had always thought straws were forbidden ever after, but apparently that is not the consistent guidance given by all drs and NUTs...I haven't tried using a straw yet but I will

I used a straw in the hospital when they gave me my 1st sip of water!

I've been using them since about 4 weeks out and should have sooner. I drink twice as much with it and it keeps me from gulping. No extra air and my stomach has not exploded.

Enjoying a nice cool cucumber Water in my Tervis tumbler with a straw as I type.

I was actually never told by my doc no straws just by the people on here lol

I've been using them since about 4 weeks out and should have sooner. I drink twice as much with it and it keeps me from gulping. No extra air and my stomach has not exploded.

Enjoying a nice cool cucumber Water in my Tervis tumbler with a straw as I type.

I agree I have already drunk more today then any other day.

My doctor told me at my last visit, to stop overthinking, I am a Normal Person with a Smaller Stomach. I am NORMAL....Don't OVER think, and Live Healthy!

My doc recommends no straw for 6 months post op. Of course on my first venture out of the house, I was served cranberry juice with a straw and totally forgot the "no straw rule" until about 1/2 way thru the drink. I was sipping...but I also started feeling bad / hurting from the extra air. Gasx to the rescue!

I agree I have already drunk more today then any other day.

If it is not adversely affecting you and it is helping you get your liquids in. I say go for it. It will not stretch your tummy so no worries there.

Every surgeon and NUT seem to have a different opinion on this and MANY more subjects regarding VSG. I get they are trying to make as many patients succeed as possible.

That said, I think we need to do what is best for us with the advice we are given. But the reality is, they are speaking from first of all, medical fact, then medical opinion, serving the lowest common denominator and lastly, covering their as**es. I think the medical fact part is all pretty clear, the medical opinion part is why we take most of their advice, the rest is a whole other subject.

That's my story and I'm stickin to it!