Simple question. Do you use a straw? Yes you do? Or no you don't? If no could you possibly post why you don't?

I was told I can use a straw but then someone went on about suction so now I'm a little paranoid lol so was just wondering what others thought about it =)

Edited June 5, 200917 yr by Sarah.R

i just recently started using one again. i am 14 days out from surgery. the first time i used one i thought my chest was gonna explode. but i just can't drink without one, esp in the car! so i've just been adapting to it and now it doesn't seem to be a problem.

I was paranoid for a long time, too, and wouldn't use one. Then one day last week I realized I had been using one all day with no ill effects so now I use one all the time. Good luck.

Mimi

You should ask your surgeon. My surgeon encourages people to use on if they drink to fast otherwise. However, good friend of mine with a different surgeon and its forbidden. /shrug

Every time I have tried to use one, it causes pressure and makes me belch!! So, needless to say, I don't use one now.

I try to use one for shakes,yogurt drinks, fruit juice etc but I refuse to use one for soup!

LOL, sorry, but I couldn't imagine using one for Soup.

I waited until I had my band over 6 months. I have no problems using a straw, but I only take tiny sips if I'm eating, which is actually, another NO-NO. I just hate drinking out of glass and cups, plus the OJ from my screwdrivers gives me a mustache if I don't use a straw...OK, another No-No.

Oh yes, I've been banded for 4.5 years, so I've been using a straw for 4 years.

My doc suggested to wait 3 months before using one. He did say some people end up with gas that makes them burp. I use them all the time and drink slowly which is fine. If i drink too fast I get uncomfortable.

I was told not to use a straw and I don't. When I forget and use one my shoulder and neck hurts. Gas pains I suppose. Needless to say I don't use one.

I was told not to use them. Growing my, my Dad had a couple of hard and fast rules -- no chewing gum and no straws. As a result, I never ever chew gum and the only time I ever used straws (after I left home, LOL) was in sodas from fast food. Since I now do not drink soda OR go to fast food places, they simply aren't even a question. In case you're wondering why no gum and no straws, I had a great-aunt who smacked her gum and sucked on a straw until it made that loud, rude noise that told everybody she was at the bottom of her glass. Daddy didn't think that was very lady-like! Guess that gives my age away a bit since not so many females worry so much about being lady-like. Of course he also gobbled his food and I learned to eat too fast by sitting at the table with him. And now, I'm having to really work at unlearning that. So, maybe it's just as well I only have that bad habit to unlearn instead of two extra ones.

I didn't use them for the first 6 months or so. Now I do occasionally. I have gum disease and I thought they were vital...BUT when I use then I burp too much (we swallow the air in the straw when we use it) SO I avoid as much as I can

I began using one post op. I'd rather drink than eat, thus I drink alot of calories. I'm working on that issue now but the straw helps me slow down my drinking...to be able to sip all day.

I've always used one and haven't had any trouble. My surgeon didn't have a problem with it either.

See that's the thing as well though, when I used to use a straw I drank really quick so that's why I'm thinking I shouldn't use one just in case I do drink really fast. But it's kinda hard with certain things oh and drinking soup thru a straw isn't weird - My sister is 24 and does it (mainly because she doesn't wanna wreckher braces lol)

I honestly cant think of the last time I drank something that would require a straw - oh, actually I think I had a milkshake a few months ago. But I dont drink softdrinks, I dont generally drink milkshakes - that one would have been the only one I've had in five years - and I only really drink wine, so I never have cocktails etc.

I cant really see why a straw would be a problem to be honest. You've got the end in the liquid, so there's no air going in.

How else ya gonna drink thoses muscle milks etc.? I have my post op tomorrow so I guess I'll ask.