Is the primary reason drinking with straws is discouraged due to the extra air you take in when drinking with one?

I had a novel idea, what about a straw that holds fluids at the top of the straw (some sort of slider) so when you sip, there is literally no air to take in, and the Fluid stays at the top until the drink is gone. Ha, maybe I should KickStarter it! Or are there not enough straw drinkers out there to make a difference ...

Yes, you're right about the air issue. I'd buy a straw if you invented one that was OK'd by my NUT!

I've heard the straw/air issue, but in association with RnY, not the sleeve. Same with the "no gum" rule - at least that's my surgeon's interpretation. Her sleeve patients can have ibuprofen, use straws and chew gum, but her RnY patients can't. So interesting.

Good luck with the invention I love it.

I use a straw all the time.. my teeth just hurt too bad not to. My doc only said no straws in the healing time... I have been using a straw since about 8 weeks out.

I also am allowed to drink diet coke

My team is okay with straws. I've been using one since the day I came home from the hospital.

CamelBak already has that market cornered. The hoses from their hydration bladders, and internal straws from their Water bottles, do just what you described. Simple physics keep the Fluid right at the top of the "straw" or hose. Think of taking a drink and covering the top of a regular straw with your tongue...the suction keeps the liquid at the top of the straw and it does not fall back down into the glass. Same concept with the CamelBak, except no tongue required!

Maybe they don't want you to use a straw because you drink faster that way?. I think I will drink more water if I can use a straw. I am almost five months out. I used a straw today that came with a protein shake and have had no ill effects. I will try again later with my water and see how it goes.

My dr. Said it was ok to try it and see how I feel. I know that I will drink more with a straw.

I'm 7 days out and have been using a straw for 5 of them. No problem at all. Since we don't suck and swallow at the same time, and our tongues kind of create an airless space while we draw in the liquid, it seems we get less air with a straw, than without one, even figuring in the air in the top if the straw. That's just me, though, and I say do what your surgeon recommends.

I would be lost without my camelbak water bottle. I took the straw off and just tilt and sip since I'm only 3 days out but it goes everywhere with me and I know exactly how much I'm drinking.