Straws

[Zoumommy 61]

Did anyone else's surgeon tell you not to use

Straws after surgery?? Any idea why this is?

[moonshun 7]

My paperwork says, "Do not use a straw to drink as it may cause gas and discomfort."

[JeanZ_RN 378]

Mine also said not to use straws, and I adhered to that for a couple of months after my surgery but I finally gave it up and went back to my old habit of using a straw.... and I haven't had any problems because of it.

The idea is that each time you take a drink with a straw you are taking in some air that you wouldn't get if you didn't use a straw. The air comes from the portion of the straw that is above the level of the Fluid.

[michelle68 46]

I was told not to use them because the intial sip is air that has filled up the straw before then fluids come....this can cause ar in pouch which equals gas etc.

I am 3 months out and I have sipped on a straw here and there..noproblems. I drink more that way, but I haven't used one consistantly or for an entire drink so I am not sure how I would actually do.

[Zoumommy 61]

Thank you everyone. It makes sense. Tonight I accidentally drank from one and had pain after, so it makes sense

[mollz007 60]

I have heard this, but it wasn't included in my post op instructions. The reason I think is because you are supposed to be sipping more air when you use a straw. I don't buy it and I use one anyway, I am two weeks post op and haven't had a problem. Sometimes drinking from a straw helps me get down those Protein Shakes I don't want to drink!

[lmdx0sleeved 14]

I drank from a straw all day today and have been in so much pain, now I know why :/

[DeniseNCC1701 306]

My instructions say no straws, too. But I confess to using one in the car with my morning tea or coffee... otherwise, I'm inclined to spill it all over my shirt!