Quick question for current sleevers????

[Valmin]

Hello Sleevers,

Do any of you use a straw while drinking? I ask this silly question becasue, I never ever drink anything without using a straw, except hot tea. This is going to be rough for me, because it's almost habit that I grab a straw to drink. I have a box of straws in my office, a cute straw holder in my kitchen.


Questions?

1. Do you use a straw?
2. What was your experience after using a straw?
***I know it's said sipping from a straw will cause gas.***
3. Was this your experience?
4. If you are a habitual straw user like myself, how soon after your surgery did you start using straws again?

~Valmin

[Blugozt]

I too like to use straws. But think of how much air is in the straw that you have to suck up before the liquid comes up. Believe me once you have your surgery the last thing you will want is to possibly add to the gas you will likely already have. I have not used a straw. I am 9 days out and every sip of water brings a birp after for me.

[bjcarey2005]

Hiya Valmin..

Your doctor gives you information regarding what you should and should not do after your sleeve procedure. No Gum, No Hard Candy, No Straws, No Soda are rules they list. At the end of that list my doctor wrote EVER!! The reason?! It will take your new sleeve pouch a year+ to fully heal. During that time it will be reshaping, moving - and it needs no extra gas/bloating interfering with the healing. The reason you are having this surgery is to change from bad eating/drinking habits from the past correct? - so you don't really want to start pushing at rules given - for it sorta worries me that if you can't give up a straw habit, how would you do regarding all the stages/rules of eating/of no foods allowed aspect etc...

I used to drink pop, but when I learned I shouldn't be drinking it once I was post op, I decided to start early and get rid of that "habit". This will not just be a change with your body, but also with long learned habits of the past. You are going to have to adapt to the new changes, if you want to push old habits back in - they could do harm to both you and your sleeve. I found it easier to just rid myself of my bad habits before surgery, so I was ready. I'm not sure if after a year+ (when the sleeve is fully healed) if you can do any of the don'ts then (but like I said above my doctor said - EVER! so there must be a reason not too). Your new pouch will be so tiny soon - you don't want to do damage to it, for it is the only stomach you have left... In my opinion I'd just stop using them now to get used to the idea - you can do it!

There will be many, many changes ahead that will be alot harder to give up - it worries me some that you worry so much about a straw. Just give up the straw, let your little pouch heal without hassle, plus you will feel better.

Huggles & God Bless
~Bren~

[pebbles]

Excellent idea that is what i am doing changing my bad habits now!

[Valmin]

Thanks for your advice and concerns Bren....I'm going to follow the rules, I was just curious. I had a some lemon ice water today, without a straw, it was weird, but I can get use to it.

Thanks again!

[Valmin]

Blugozt, thanks....I was just wondering what would happen. I don't recall it being explained what happens when you sip from a straw.

[Shelby]

I totally understand the "no straw" fear. I have extremely sensitive teeth to cold all of my life (tap water hurts and yes I've tried Sensodine, etc.) so the thought of not using a straw is scary.

Good luck!

[ToDream]

1. Do you use a straw?

Yup, all the time. It helps me not swallow air because I tend to gulp when I drink without one.

2. What was your experience after using a straw?

Nothing out of the ordinary. I'm super burpy since surgery anyway.

3. Was this your experience?

I wouldn't say that using a straw causes any more gas for me than not using one

4. If you are a habitual straw user like myself, how soon after your surgery did you start using straws again?

As soon as my drain was removed and I was able to drink liquids. I had a tetra pack of apple juice


FTR, I do not drink pop.

[Dana]

I also have straw containers at work and home. I love straws. At first I didn't use them and it was okay, I got used to it, but one day I absent mindedly used a straw and had no more gas than usual. so I'm back at it. It may bother some people but I was fine. Sometimes I sip and hold it a second before I swallow so I don't suck air straight into my tummy but I usually don't think about it and I find no difference. I just burp for everything! I find I'm able to get more water down over the course of a day bc I like to sip my straw better than from a cup. I'm rotten like that though!

[accordingtome]

I use straws. I started drinking with a straw in the hospital and have not had any problems! The only think I drink without a straw is coffee.

[ToDream]

I even drink coffee with a straw!

[Juney]

The first drink given to me in the hospital after I came round was given through a straw, and I wasn't told not to use them. I don't use them normally, but wouldn't be unduly worried if I had to. The meal replacement drinks I have come with a straw, and I use one then ;o)

[accordingtome]

I use a straw all the time. I don't think I know how to drink without one! I don't have any issues with it. My Doctor never said not to use it.

[Shelby]

Wow that's wonderful. You've made amazing progress. I read about people burping a lot post surgery. Did you have that? I'm around 220 and plan to have surgery in November. I work for a fairly conserative company and can't imagine burping at lunch on in a meeting?

[Pam]

Just a thought... I have a Turvis Tumbler with a lid that I drink from. Getting one of those might be a good start to not using a straw. I take coffee to work every morning and then rinse it and drink ice water. I have not had the surgery yet, so I know I am giving up the coffee (caffeine) soon. Just saying that to say that it works for hot and cold. They are sold on-line, just google turvis tumbler or Bed Bath and Beyond has tons of them.