hello I am 12 days post-op gastric sleeve surgery I was wondering when I can start using straws to drink stuff

Ah, the infamous straw question! Practices seem to vary on their opinion on this from "never use them, ever!" to "what's the big deal - go ahead and use them if you don't feel any problem?"

My doc, as with many things, is of the "go ahead and do it if it doesn't feel bad" camp and we used them in the hospital. I think that the concern is that you might suck in some air with the fluid, which you might if you are trying to get the last drops out, and that that might be uncomfortable or worse. The general consensus that I have seen is to use them and if you feel any discomfort from it, then don't, but if you don't feel anything unusual from using them, you aren't doing any harm.

As usual, go with what your program recommends, as you will get the blame for anything going wrong if you don't, even if it is irrelevant to what you did.

I used straws from the get-go, no problems. I could only take small sips so did not problems with gas

I didn't use them the first few months post-surgery, but I use them occasionally now.

You’ll get a wide range of responses to this. Personally I used them for a few weeks. Found they helped me keep my sips small.

Mind you that was back when you could use plastic straws. Those paper ones start to breakdown faster than you can drink & water that is paper flavoured or has bits of paper floating in it is not pleasant. Maybe try a metal straw instead or pour your shakes, soups, water, etc. drinks into a drinking bottle with its own straw (camel back bottles or cups).

My program said 6 months no straws. Wonder why so many variations

I was told to avoid them during the healing process which is like 3 months. I feel fine but I still avoid them just in case. No clue why it varies between so many programs