I have not had surgery yet, but I am told I cannot drink out of a straw after surgery. Why is this?

I was told it will put too much gas in your sleeve, causing potential problems.

I think it's really hit or miss some surgeons say no some say yes. I use one periodically and have had no issues. @@staceymeaux

I haven't had surgery yet, but at my preop they encouraged the use of straws...

My doc mentions it in passing that it could cause gas for some people. I've not talked to anyone who's had issues with straws. If my drink comes with a straw, I drink out of it and I've never had an issue. In the scheme of rules, I don't rank this one very high up on the priority list. i.e. Protein goals, Water goals, no drinking with meals, etc.

I was told the same thing, but low and behold, when I woke up I had a cup of ice chips and a cup of Water with a straw in it! And I thought I couldn't have anything to drink after surgery.

It varies by surgeon, they all have a set of guidelines that they know will work for their patients.

I was never told I couldn't use straws, just to be careful and drink slowly.

The same goes for coffee and alcohol. My doc never said I couldn't ever have coffee or alcohol again, but some doctors do forbid those items to their patients.

Everyone is different and is going to respond to straws, coffee, and alcohol differently. So my approach is to be very careful when trying something new. If in doubt, I always call my doctor or nutritionist.

Edited March 16, 201511 yr by joatsaint

My doctor has recommended no straws due to gas from sucking n the straw. I use a Water bottle instead and it works great. In restaurants I never order anything to drink because of the 30 minutes before and after rule. I carry my water bottle everywhere I go including in my house so I have a constant reminder to drink my water.

Alcohol is a no no for at least the first year and then with caution after that.

Caffeinetted beverages actually dehydrates you. I was told I could have it if I wanted after month 3. I simply don't because it gives me migraines if I drink too much of it.

I am a water girl all the way but honestly had been drinking only water for the last 3 years. Or milk.

Yes all true, gas AND too much liquid intake, you'll see what we mean when you first get your surgery. You have to sip very very very very slowly....

Like everyone says, it's mostly to prevent gas pain. I've got sensitive teeth so I always wind up sucking down more air if I DON'T use a straw, so I drink more with one and don't have any issues.

Like everyone says, it's mostly to prevent gas pain. I've got sensitive teeth so I always wind up sucking down more air if I DON'T use a straw, so I drink more with one and don't have any issues.

This will be me.. I've always used straws to avoid tooth pain!

I was told it will put too much gas in your sleeve, causing potential problems.

Same here.

I was told no straws to prevent sucking in air and taking in too much liquid at once. I didn't use a straw at all for the first year, and I do once in a while now if I'm out and get something to drink that comes with a straw. Honestly, I don't think it would hurt me at this point, but I'm trying to be compliant even though I don't believe it have any negative consequences at all, lol.

How you need to live immediately preop may not be a long term restriction. I don't habitually use straws, but at 3 years out, i haven't exploded from the occassional use either.

It is hard - early on these small things seem so important. Over the long run, the sleeve is pretty easy to live with. I say this as someone who did NOT find the lapband easy to live with - 10 years of that.