I had a long addiction with Coca Cola, and kicked the habit cold turkey- woo hoo! In place of the soda I was drinking Crystal Light Iced Tea with a straw prior to surgery bc without a straw it stains your teeth. Post op I haven't been able to drink it bc of the no straw rule. If I drink it without the straw, in just a couple of days I see a difference in my teeth. Anyone have another suggestion of what I can drink (other than just water) that has comparable caloric intake? I know this whole thing seems rather vain of me, but I like my smile, ya know? Thanks!

My surgeon doesn't have a no straw rule...infact everything I drink is through a straw. The water they offered me after surgery was through a straw lol. I don't see that problem with crystal light (maybe slightly with the teas), but you could try the propel ones or lemonades...I wish I could be of more help lol. Good luck!

I drink fruit, lemonade or green tea Crystal Light. In the last couple weeks I started drinking unsweetened iced tea and noticed this morning that drinking the tea with out a straw has started staining my front teeth. Kind of disappointing since I don't have anyting to order when going out with friends to sit and chat.

I always carry the single serving packets of s.f kool aid and cystal light or packets of true lemon/lime/orange and order water...then I can mix my own drink :thumbdown: Like I said before though I have no straw restriction...everything I drink is through a straw lol

You may want to ask your doc about using a straw. Mine was rather adamant about it because they said it carbonates your beverages in your stomach, causing your pouch to stretch which is a big no no.

My surgeon also said "NO STRAW" period. Anyway, I love Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry. Be sure to get "diet" but it is really good. Also, diet Snapple Green Tea is good.

Congrats on the no coke thing....I was completely addicted to soda....giving that up is a must if you want the weight to come off. I drink from straws and never have had an issue....Maybe try a different flavor of crystal lite. I have tried most of them. My favorite is the citrus 'focus'...it has a little bit of caffine to help me wake up in the morning. Never could understand the no straw thing...good luck.

I DID ask my surgeon. As I said before the water they gave me in recovery they had me drink with a straw! Not all surgeons say no straws. I have had my band for almost a year now and have drank almost all of my drinks with a straw and have had not one problem. Everyone is different, every band is different, and every surgeon has different rules. The only thing they told me to be careful with is no carbonated drinks and to drink slow because sometimes you take bigger/faster sips if you are drinking through a straw, but like I said they allow straws and I have had no problems.

Edited July 2, 200917 yr by rodriguezequal