Hi all. My surgery is 6/7. Im obsessively reading everything I can before then.

I don't remember reading anything about the use of straws. Is it allowed or discouraged? Too much air/liquid? Not sure.

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I read from others about discouraging straws due to causing gas/bloating. Never happened with me. Just make sure to keep with the sips as one can easily take in too many fluids with a straw post-op and cause pain.

Edited May 28, 20179 yr by PatientEleventyBillion

I love straws. I've been sad without them. Patientfiftyzillion how far out are you from surgery? I'm having no issues and would love to use a straw.

Yes same answer. I was told you swallow air with it which will cause bloating and pain. So I just stayed away from it.

10 minutes ago, Joann454 said:

I love straws. I've been sad without them. Patientfiftyzillion how far out are you from surgery? I'm having no issues and would love to use a straw.

I'm a little over 1 month. I've not had issues lately with pain, that was at the beginning especially when I was having smoothies via straw. I swallow air all the time anyways regardless of what method I use so I'm used to burping and farting.

Edit: I'm afraid to look at that link that just appeared on the word "farting".

Edited May 29, 20179 yr by PatientEleventyBillion

The link didn't appear (grateful).
Hmm I might try it and see. If it hurts I'll wait. I am having no issues drinking pretty fast now. The smell of the shakes grosses me out. Distance via a straw would be good. Thanks

I've been using straws the past week and no issues. I don't see what all the fuss is about, but maybe not everyone can use them as easily as I can.

15 minutes ago, Joann454 said:

The link didn't appear (grateful).
Hmm I might try it and see. If it hurts I'll wait. I am having no issues drinking pretty fast now. The smell of the shakes grosses me out. Distance via a straw would be good. Thanks

Just the thought of the smell of the crap they wanted me drinking grosses me out.

I was told no straws and I don't miss them

It is totally about what you can tolerate. There is nothing inherently wrong with the use of straws that will mess you up or anything. If you love straws and are at the beginning of your journey -- use the coffee stirrer straws. The narrower the opening the better so less air gets in your stomach.

The link didn't appear (grateful).
Hmm I might try it and see. If it hurts I'll wait. I am having no issues drinking pretty fast now. The smell of the shakes grosses me out. Distance via a straw would be good. Thanks

I put my shake in a yeti tumbler with a lid. Helps with the smell. The smell of them gives me a blah feeling. The lid helps block the smell.

I was also told not to use a straw. I haven't used a straw since surgery. At this point I feel like I probably could but now it is a habit not to. I imagine air in the tummy could cause discomfort or gas. If you struggle with reflux I would probably stay away from straws.

I use straw all day, everyday. No issues or problems at all. I do much better getting my liquids in with it than I would without it.

I put my shake in a yeti tumbler with a lid. Helps with the smell. The smell of them gives me a blah feeling. The lid helps block the smell.

I have one and it helps some. I can still smell it though. ?

My very first drink in the hospital was from a straw.

If you aren't dumb and know how not to suck in air, that should be no issue with drinking from a straw.

Early on it is really useful because you can suck a steady slow stream. It is a lot easier to regulate than sips and swallows, and you can drink water a lot easier and faster.

Since I'm not dumb (although that could be up for debate) I'm going to try it today.