I'm four months out and wondered if it was okay to begin using straws again.

I never stopped using them. My doctor told me that was an urban legend and had no basis in fact.

One of the challenges of weight loss surgery is being able to get in enough Water and liquids. Drinking through a straw can make that easier.

3 months post op, and for some reason I was craving the tingle of some diet soda this weekend, I was fine in moderation and sipping. Maybe the straw is the same concept, just don't gulp. I would be interested to hear the answer though.

My hospital brought me a tray full of drinks a couple hours after surgery and they all had straws in them. I guess my team doesn't believe in the whole "no straws" thing. I used the straws in the hospital -- they made drinking easier when I was still clumsy and foggy from painkillers -- and they never gave me a problem. I haven't really used them since then, but that's my choice. I just never liked using them in the first place.

I never stopped using them. They were the only way I could get my fluids down in those early stages. Now I don't use them as much as I use to but they were a life saver early out.

I'll be the voice of the other side. I am over two years out and still don't use them. My stomach loudly protests if I do. So this is another of those things that varies from person to person.

My doc said 3 months but I started using them again at 1 month. I told him I was doing it and he just asked me how it was going. The big thing is that you can supposedly get more air into your tummy using a straw which can be uncomfortable and you can also take in more liquid than you are supposed to during one drink.

At 4 months post op I would say break out the straw and enjoy!

I had used a straw about 5/6 months out. Once I was cleared to eat red meat and pork again. It wasn't terrible experience but I haven't really found the need to use a straw. Most things I drink now either come in a cup or bottle. And when I go out to eat I usually just get Water instead of soda/juice. Someone else asked about soda. I again waited closer to 9 months out before I tried really drinking a soda. The carbonation does make me belchly/gassy even when I sip it. I usually do soda out of a can now vs a bottle, as I will sometimes let the can get a bit flat to let out a lot of the carbonation. I went from drinking maybe easily 3 to 400oz of diet soda a day to now if I get 24oz in within a 3 month period that would considered a lot.

I asked my NUT at my first month visit about straws because if I don't drink out of my contigo autospout which has a straw in it, I drink significantly less water. She told me that it's not a big deal and straws are perfectly fine to use as long as it's not causing pain. People tend to take bigger drinks and swallow air which can make their new stomach hurt in the beginning, but if it doesn't to feel free to use it. I've been using straws ever since.

I've used straws from day one. Just make sure your mouth fully grasps the straw; don't suck with an open mouth. I love the straws.

My surgeon doesn't like straws so she has all her patients buy a camalbak water bottle with bite valve this makes it so your not sucking air when you drink

My doc said I could use them after 2 weeks, and I've been using them ever since! In fact, it's very hard to drink without a straw. I was quite anxious to start using them before my two weeks was up!

Used from day 1... Was just careful not to suck air in. I would have struggled to get fluid in if it wasn't for staws.

They gave me a straw for my Protein drink while I was in the hospital. I was shocked! Lol... ????

I think the "no straw" thing is just one of those things where it depends on your surgeon and their protocols.

My dr told me no straws period which is not a big deal i hardly ever used them anyway

I'm three years out and don't remember when I started using them again. I guess maybe 6 months or so. I don't really believe the whole 'straws are bad' thing, but I try to be compliant. I still don't use them all the time, mostly just at restaurants. They have never bothered me.