I was very scared to use a straw since my surgeon post op book says not to use it, I tried it today 5 days post op and it works incredibly well for me! So just curious about others sleeved buddies experiences with the use of a straw! On liquid diet, and kind of starting to crave for something to chew! But will stick to liquid or at least very mushy diet for now!

I accidentally used a straw a week or two after surgery and was thrilled to find that it didn't cause the pain in my throat like drinking without a straw did and I could consume way more liquids with a straw. I am now a year and 8 months out from surgery and I use a straw with nearly everything I drink. I don't feel like I'm swallowing rocks anymore when I don't use a straw, but being able to use one the first few weeks after surgery was the only way I was able to get in all of my fluids.

My favorite insulated tumbler has a straw.... and I was making my morning Protein drink pouring it into my 20 oz tumbler to take to work. It was days before it clicked that I was "drinking from a straw"! It caused me no discomfort. So basically I have been using a straw since 7 days post-op. I continue to use that tumbler for my carry-to-work morning Protein Drink.

^{I have been wanting to drink from a straw, but have been scared to. I don't think it would bother me, but they stressed not to do it so much that I worry about it. Plus I read on some chat one day, that it would stretch your stomach. Have any of you heard that before, bc I don't see how it could}

^{I have been wanting to drink from a straw, but have been scared to. I don't think it would bother me, but they stressed not to do it so much that I worry about it. Plus I read on some chat one day, that it would stretch your stomach. Have any of you heard that before, bc I don't see how it could}

That is a very interesting question! I hope a veteran sleeved will let us know if drinking with a straw affects the stretching of the sleeve!

I'm quite surprised to see that it doesn't bother us to do so even if Dr.'s request us not to!

I am scared to drink with a straw and yet I don't know why. Can someone please remind me why the surgeon stressed not doing it so much?

Hello fellow sleevers, I was informed not to use a straw because of the possibility of swallowing air. I'll be a week out tomorrow, not able to really get anything down and think a straw would help. I won't try though.

This is good 2 hear! I'll def be trying it and hopefully I don't get any gas.

Well I'm also a week post op and have cheated with a straw yesterday and have to admit that this was my 1st time finishing one 1 protein shake per day. I'm supposed to be eating pureed foods by now but it can't go down. I have tried to eat over cooked meat and folk smashed foods but it is not going down at all. I was able to eat 1 chicken wing but felt horrible after that. Everytime i try to have a bite of something that I'm not supposed to have I'll hate myself for doing and it'll stuck. Please insult me for not being committed. I'm actually doing all the best I can. I

Hello there! No one should be on here to insult anyone considering we are all chasing the same goal. We are human and there is no way we can take years of eating how we want and now change it just like that. I commend the ones who can but for those of us who can't, don't beat yourself up about it, call it like it is and learn from the mistake and lastly do your darnedest to not go through it again. Wishing you well!

I have heard two thing regarding the use of straws.

One, using straws can cause you to swallow air which can cause severe gas pain. Two, they will cause you to swallow to fast and when you should just sip.

That being said, I am two months post op and can drink with a straw with no issues. I think using a straw is actually helping me to get my Water and fluids down easier.

Edited May 11, 201511 yr by BrandNewCB

My doctor actually wants straws to be used immediately after surgery.

I found it was easier to sip in the early days.

I had a lot if difficulty getting liquids down, even water, I am 5 weeks post op. I started straws yesterday and I am actually getting water down. I love it. You just have to remember to sip not Gulp

I was told its because you swallow more air with the straw and that stretches your stomach out. But they also said if you bite the end of the straw while you are sucking on it its fine

My groups states that straws are ok so long as you are not gulping down your liquids. If you find drinking via a straw is causing you a problem, don't do it. Kind of logical, right? Lol. Their concern was simply that people can throw "mindfulness' out the window when you start drinking through a straw.

I am 4 years out and I find that the air I swallow when using a straw appears to allow me to eat more. I go in phases where I am really into straws so weaning off is hard but I am definitely affected by it as far as stomach capacity. Never had pain per say but if you can stay clear I would. The effects of the straw on stomach capacity appear to last for many hours afterward. I don't know that it has stretched my sleeve permanently as I still have good restricting when I follow the rules( no straw, don't drink and eat, hard protein first). Best of luck!