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I've had surgeries before and was told not to drink from a straw immediately post-op b/c it causes air swallowing, leading to more gas. I assume this will be true right after surgery (bypass in my case). But what about later on? I really rely on a straw in a water bottle to get all my Water in. I just don't tend to sip nearly as much when drinking directly from a bottle or glass.

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Just had this talk with my doctor today actually. She said no straws for the first few weeks to prevent sucking in too much air. She didn't say specifically how long though, but she didn't suggest it was a permanent change to make.

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I was never told not to....but then again I rarely use a straw except maybe while driving...

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I'm 5 month post op, I use straws on occasion, I'm still alive :)

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Never ever ever. And that's a quote. Apparently serious damage can result from it, not to mention the gas that it puts in your sleeve, which can take up the space that food should be in.

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Never ever ever. And that's a quote. Apparently serious damage can result from it, not to mention the gas that it puts in your sleeve, which can take up the space that food should be in.

I must possess mad superhero straw skillz yo, because I have been using a straw since my first week post op, I've cause no "serious damage" (or ANY damage for that matter), I don't suck in any air (that's where the mad skillz yo come in) and I get down a lot more fluids than I would without.

I am a straw user and my doctor isn't even mad about it.

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I can see during the first few weeks but why couldn't you down the road when your pouch is healed? It doesn't seem to make any sense to me how it can hurt you after your healed.....

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Thanks, I am very relieved. I don't mind giving up my straw for a week or two right after surgery. But long term I was concerned b/c I just don't drink enough by sipping. I guess I could change that habit but I have enough other things to work on LOL!

Also, my new favorite Water bottle is the Brita bottle. Our Water around here is very hard and over chlorinated and tastes awful from the tap. I always filled my previous bottles from a Brita pitcher. but now I have their water bottle, and the best part is it holds 32 oz, so all I have to do is fill it twice to get 64 oz in a day. But it has a straw b/c that's where the filter is.

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My nutritionist said it was fine after 2 months. I like my Water with Ice and a straw. I drink it much faster and more often. I am 5 months out and doing great.

~LA

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I use a straw and am 5 weeks out. I started about 2 weeks post op. For some reason I can get more fluids down with a straw than without

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I struggle getting the Water in. I have been using straws, because it started to drive me crazy taking the lids on and off the Water bottle 100 times a day. My NUT said to see if I started to noticing any problems with it, and, if not, go ahead.

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@@lclemur

Have you tried using the Water Enhancer drops? As I still struggle with fluids, I mentioned this to my NUT the last time I saw her. She suggested using the drops for all my Water consumption, and said it tends to make it easier to get he fluids in.....and guess what? She was right! For some unknown reason, I am now able to drink waaayyyyyy more than without the stuff. So, I believe, I am the SOLE reason these companies are in business, because I buy the stuff by the boatload! It's nice to be able to adjust the sweetness level, not to mention the flavor options (which I am now mixing to make my own favorites!). Have fun with it!

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I haven't tried the Water Enhancer drops but i make a pitcher of sugar-free lemonade according to directions (storebrand) and then I put one oz of that in my 32 oz Water bottle, fill rest with water. just enough sweetness for me without being overloaded or giving me any problems with the artificial sweeteners, since it's so diluted. I usually do that for one 32 oz bottle/day, then have the other plain.

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
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    • Doughgurl

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      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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