I have a couple of questions

[Robbnva]

I just started my insurance company's 6 month protocol last week so I am in the very early stages of things and I was looking over the packet of information and I am just curious about a few things.

1. They say no straws but I see people who have had surgery use straws after, so what is the thought process behind it?

2. Same as above but with Carbonated beverages. Now I have been about a month without soda and tbh I have finally gotten to the point where I don't crave them anymore, but just curious

3. And now the one that I think will be the hardest for me, tiny sips. if I don't take tiny sips of my water post sleeve, what os going to happen to me? It will be really hard to master taking small sips and getting my 64oz a day


Thank you

[Mich-D]

Using straws after surgery or even chewing gum after surgery can send air into the stomach causing fullness and/or an upset stomach.

Carbonated drinks can have a similar impact as the carbonation can try to stretch the stomach.

[12NVDiva]

It varies from doctor to doctor and person to person but you can reintroduce soda later in the process my packet said at 3 months but I still don't do many sodas. Your body will tell you because the gas will be overwhelming at the first sip if it is too much for you. I still have trouble with the tiny sips but I guess my tregular sips were not that large because I sip normally and I do not have any issue. I was not big on drinking liquids to begin with so my usual is a tiny sip.

[connie3]

After you have your surgery, you will be able to see how much you can drink at one time. I was lucky and can drink as I did before. But I can overdue. I could also take my meds without crushing them. Everyone is different and you won't know till after surgery. Good luck

[Robbnva]

So the large sips/ gulps cause discomfort? That makes sense.

Hopefully I never drink soda again

Thanks.

[Rerun4u2]

Everyone is different. I can drink through a straw, however, I make sureI don't take in air when I swallow. Sips, I started out with sips and gradually take drinks. Again, making sure I don't swallow a lot of air. You can tell when you've had enough. It feels like the drink is coming bavpck up your esophagus ...you'll learn in your own time and speed. Many people talk about conspitation. I just take a spoon full of Olive Garden Salad Dressing...does the trick ever time. U have to experiment & learn what is right for u. No one has all the answers.

[kacie77]

1. Straws-I couldn't use it for a few weeks after surgery...it has to do with taking to big of sips and gas/air to quickly into stomach.
2. Cokes-If you're like me you will love the way you feel after not drinking them and will want to live a heathier lifestyle. I just don't miss them or the added cost of drinking them. Plain and simple they are terrible for you.
3. Sips-most after surgery have a hard time with the new tummy. I thought I would never get the one ounce down...it takes time to get in the liquids. I can drink normally now.

I would suggest since you are in the early stages of the process to read everything you can on "clean eating". I read the internet to the end...I am all about prepping and planning your meals, snacks, everything! Changing your thought process on food is the hardest part. Learn to live without the processed foods

Menu Plan Your Butt Off Weekly, Healthy Menu Plans : Shrinking Kitchen
Skinny Ms. - Womens Fitness - Healthy Recipes and Workouts for Women
Bariatric Foodie: Newbies!
theworldaccordingtoeggface
Quick and Healthy Recipes - Cooking Light
Recipes for After Bariatric Surgery | Froedtert Hospital | Milwaukee, Wis.
Clean Eating Recipes
Coach Calorie - How to Lose Weight, Get Fit, and Change Your Life Forever

[Robbnva]

Yeah I've read about clean eating and I'm slowly starting to cut out carbs. If I do it's whole wheat or brown rice

[Metread]

I didn't use a straw for the first month, but was fine with one after that. As stated before, just be mindful of the air you take in. I started chewing gum about the same time.

I haven't had a carbonated drink and don't plan to. I still miss them sometimes, but I had quit them a few weeks before surgery, so it was easier to skip them.

As for sipping, trust me, that's all you can do post op.

[Robbnva]

Ok here's another question. Are people able to eat chicken wings? Love me some chicken wings though I don't eat them often.

[misshaunt]

Everyone gave great advise and their abilities. It will all depend on how you handle it after surgery. We don't all listen to everything we are told to do. I to drink from a straw now. Actually it helps me get my water/liquid intake. I am TERRIBLE about drinking enough in a days time. I am TERRIBLE about eating to fast. Always have been, and always will be. When you first have the surgery (for me the first 2 months) I didn't have an issue. I was so afraid to tear my sleeve or expand it. I was super careful. You will get over that. Now I wish I would chew my food better and eat slower. If I don't, I will know it and you won't want to do it again. Feels like it's stuck and you have a Mack truck on your chest. Carbonated beverages, can't handle them. Fills my sleeve up so fast, it makes me feel sick. And I bet I use to drink a 2 liter bottle of soda a day. Don't miss it. I do however drink a lot of ice tea. Even water gives me heartburn. Anything with dye in it does the same. So everyone is different. Just follow the rules your Dr gives you for the time until you are allowed to eat whatever. Try it in small amounts and keep a notebook. I use an app called Loseit, it really helps track everything. I log every day so I know what is making me lose weight and what isn't. Good luck, you will love the new you!

[dyberrah]

You will be able to eat whatever your stomach will allow. Chicken wings can be very fatty, and many post-WLS patients find fatty foods do not sit well anymore.

I too used to love my chicken wings. I have had one or two on occasion post-sleeve, when I was at a buffet - I had no problems but I also don't crave them anymore. I don't crave pizza or pasta or hamburgers or fries or any of that stuff, but pre-sleeve I ate tonnes of it!

When driving out of town, my hubby and I have a tradition of stopping at Burger King for breakfast. The first (and only) time I tasted those little hashbrown mini patties after my sleeve (which I used to be able to devour like a hungry dog), I though my tummy was about to pull the eject handle.

My advice: don't mourn your perceived food losses until after the sleeve and the post-op dietary progression. Then you will find out what is really no longer an option, and it may not bother you in the slightest

[Metread]

At about 4 months post op, I could eat 2. Best wings I ever had!

[Robbnva]

At about 4 months post op, I could eat 2. Best wings I ever had!

After shakes and soft food, I bet they were lol

[Robbnva]

Everyone gave great advise and their abilities. It will all depend on how you handle it after surgery. We don't all listen to everything we are told to do. I to drink from a straw now. Actually it helps me get my water/liquid intake. I am TERRIBLE about drinking enough in a days time. I am TERRIBLE about eating to fast. Always have been, and always will be. When you first have the surgery (for me the first 2 months) I didn't have an issue. I was so afraid to tear my sleeve or expand it. I was super careful. You will get over that. Now I wish I would chew my food better and eat slower. If I don't, I will know it and you won't want to do it again. Feels like it's stuck and you have a Mack truck on your chest. Carbonated beverages, can't handle them. Fills my sleeve up so fast, it makes me feel sick. And I bet I use to drink a 2 liter bottle of soda a day. Don't miss it. I do however drink a lot of ice tea. Even water gives me heartburn. Anything with dye in it does the same. So everyone is different. Just follow the rules your Dr gives you for the time until you are allowed to eat whatever. Try it in small amounts and keep a notebook. I use an app called Loseit, it really helps track everything. I log every day so I know what is making me lose weight and what isn't. Good luck, you will love the new you!

My wife has the lapband so while I've never felt it I sort of know from her to eat slow and chew foods. Thanks