Can I ever use a straw again?

I do all the time. The main objection is to be aware of how much air you're sipping in with your liquids.

You just have to not sip down to the bottom where you're trying to get the last little bit as that also causes you to suck in a whole lot of air with it.

I do all the time. The main objection is to be aware of how much air you're sipping in with your liquids.

You just have to not sip down to the bottom where you're trying to get the last little bit as that also causes you to suck in a whole lot of air with it.

Thank you!!!

I use a straw regularly at night while sipping liquids or during the day when drinking a Protein shake. No problem at all. I probably avoided straws for about the first 6 months just because my surgeon/NUT/PA and the written instructions said not to use a straw. I can't tell there's any difference when using one or not.

My hospital brought me a tray full of different drinks -- each with a straw -- and told me to start drinking maybe a couple hours after surgery. I've never had any problems with straws (though I hardly ever use them, I don't like them) and they didn't cause me any problems immediatley post-op.

I've used a straw since I was a few weeks out. I got in more liquids that way. You just have to learn that you cannot take as big/long of sips. That's the roughest part. If I'm at home I don't sure a straw, but at work I do and can sip all day.

So our practice's NP told us in our pre-op class to never ever ever ever ever use a straw again. In the next breath, she told us to always carry a sports bottle full of Water so we were sipping all day. The bottles she held up all used straws.

When I pointed that out to her, she's admitted the straw rule was pretty stupid and really up to the individual. Just don't suck air. You'll be fine.

my practice has us all buy a camalbak Water bottle with a bitevalve and it makes sure you dont suck in air when drinking its awesome

I'm 5 months post op and haven't used a straw. I do miss using one though ????????????

As long as you aren't sucking in a bunch of air with your straw, you should be fine. I typically do not use them, but have had a few times when a restaurant served me some water with a straw in it and I just used it without thinking. I didn't have any ill effects. I know a lot of people find it easier to get all their water in if they use a straw. I think if the choice is between "risking" using a straw or not getting all your fluids in, the decision is pretty easy!

I use a straw everyday. The big issue is that you are careful not to suck air.

It hurts like hell when you get a burp stuck so you will do it once and never do it again.

Even now after 16 months post op, if I have a burp it hurts.

I've been using straws since the day I had surgery. My surgeon actually recommended it. Says we take smaller sips with straws. I've had no problems at all. I was sleeved 12/17/15.

My dr. told me I could drink from a straw from the beginning. and if it wasn't for that I don't think I could get all my Water in.

My dr and Nut said no straw...that lasted 3 days. Haven't looked back

I was going to say that you will get a myriad of responses on this. To be honest, I have used one quite often (7 1/2 months post-op). I did ask my NUT this question just yesterday and her response is that straws (as well as carbonation) should be avoided long term as the air it can introduce in to your pouch can eventually stretch the pouch. Now I had bypass not sleeve and the rules are often different. Additionally there are a lot of folks that say the pouch cannot be stretched. So, in summary, there isn't a clear answer. You can always avoid it to err on the safe side but don't panic if you have or need to use one.

Can't live without my straws! Go for it!