Just curious ... Does anyone else drink out of straws? My pre-op instructions said it was a big No. I'm 5 months post op and discover that I have no issues with straws & wanted to know the rational. I find that I drink more with my camelback water bottle (straw) vs a container you have to sip. I avoid straws with most other drinks ...

I was told the same thing, but have zero issues with straws. I've been using one since very early post-op. I've always used straws to drink all my Water, and it's really the only way it's going to happen.

I believe the reasoning about the no straw rule, is to avoid taking in too much air, which creates bloat & gas. Knowing this, I never suck the last itty bitty bit of Fluid at the bottom of the glass. For me, that would be the only place any extra air is getting in. Other than that, using a straw is no different than drinking straight from the glass (for me).

Edited January 31, 201412 yr by mrsto

It wasn't much of an instruction during my own postOp.....and I don't use 'em anyway.

i was instructed too not to use straws. but the first thing the nurse brought me was a crystal light with a straw. lol. i use them at times. especially when i drink a iced coffee Protein drink. i don't drink with a meal so the air i might be taking in doesnt bother my volume

Yeah same story here. I was told no to straws with the same air issue. I tried no straws and just couldn't get my water intake to be anywhere I needed it to be. I love my camelbak bottles. Once I started using them my water levels definitely increased. I still don't drink the amount of fluids they expect but it's better.

I was never told no straws. I had straws in the hospital post op and had straw in the barium for my first fill. I have never had any issues, but like everyone else has said I think the issue is they don't want you to take in too much air. I don't know about anyone else but sometimes I can find it hard to burp so if I have a straw I'm really careful.

I did have problems early I ( I actually forgot and used a straw) it caused me to slime real bad. I think I must have sucked in a lot of air. Since then I've used one without probs

I was told yesterday, that I can use em all I want during the 2 week liquid diet(duh, ha) but then to wait at least 3 weeks AFTER surgery to try and use them again. He basically said if it'll make me happy, use em, but that it might actually cause some discomfort.

Yes, but not on a regular basis.

Just curious ... Does anyone else drink out of straws? My pre-op instructions said it was a big No. I'm 5 months post op and discover that I have no issues with straws & wanted to know the rational. I find that I drink more with my camelback water bottle (straw) vs a container you have to sip. I avoid straws with most other drinks ...

I have no problems with straws. Use one everyday. But reading the other posts maybe that is one of the reasons I have gas issues.

The other thing I was told not to do anymore, is chew gum. I tried it a few weeks after surgery, and it didn't go well. Now, no problem whatsoever.

Edited February 1, 201412 yr by mrsto