Do you use a straw?

[Sarah.R 2]

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, 2009 by Sarah.R

[sassysara 0]

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.

[Mimilou2004 13]

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

[Homesteader2.5 0]

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

[missboo333 0]

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.

[elcee 3,340]

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

[HarleyNana 10]

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.

[di1138 8]

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.

[1want2Bthin 0]

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.

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

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.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

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

[lapbandtalker 0]

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.

[Bea1128 1]

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

[Sarah.R 2]

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)

[Jachut 487]

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.