I can not kick the habit of drinking from a straw. I went through a drive-through today to get something to drink. Two hours later, it hit me that I had popped that straw right in the cup and drank away. This is the 2nd time I have done this. Several other times, I have put the straw in the cup but remembered I am not suppose to use them before I put my mouth on it. Did anyone else have difficulty kicking the straw habit?

No difficulty at all, because I haven't and was told by my doctor that straws are just fine.

Thus begins another great straw debate on VST.

How far post op are you? when I was still having gas issues I didn't use straws, but I started using them about 6 weeks post op and have been fine.

_{I will be 5 weeks post-op tomorrow. So why did my Dr. say I would have to give up straws for the rest of life?}

I think they don't want us using straws in the early stages of being sleeved due to the excess amount of air that can get inside your newly butchered and healing stomach. If you get enough air in your new stomach its going to be uncomfortable, maybe down right painful. And you tend to drink alot using a straw if you realize it or not, and that can be a danger filling up your healing stomach too fast.

Having said that I started using straws again about month 6 post op and have been ever since. I'm now a year and almost two months post surgery and have no issues drinking with them.

I think they don't want us using straws in the early stages of being sleeved due to the excess amount of air that can get inside your newly butchered and healing stomach. If you get enough air in your new stomach its going to be uncomfortable, maybe down right painful. And you tend to drink alot using a straw if you realize it or not, and that can be a danger filling up your healing stomach too fast.

Having said that I started using straws again about month 6 post op and have been ever since. I'm now a year and almost two months post surgery and have no issues drinking with them.

LOL Nate, newly butchered!

I'm not supposed to ever use a straw again and in the beginning I tried and it cause gas discomfort. I am almost 6 weeks out and can use a straw, but have to not over drink. Seems to be working fine. I get more water when I use my straw thermos.

I remember when I was a kid, my grandpa who was a bartender his whole adult life, told me that why they give you straws with mixed drinks. They make you drunk faster because you take in less air than without a straw. I thought this to be true until the day I joined lapbandtalk.com.

Not sure why you would get any air at all in them, unless you may be down to the bottom of your drink and only sucking air.

Any other reason beside air?

My doc says it can cause gas that's why no straw .. But I've been using a straw since 5 days post op ... I'm 12 days out & I don't have any problem ... I kinda get my liquids in easier i just take it slow ...

I've been using straws since early post-op...no issues with gas, drinking too fast, etc. Again, my doc is fine with straws. Seems to be a surgeon preference rather than medical fact!

I'm not supposed to either but twice I have with my protein drinks & had completely forgotten until I had finished my drinks. So since I haven't had any issues, I'm going to use one where I see fit. Truthfully, I find I suck in LESS air with a straw!