Using Straws - if drink is 0 cal, why can't u

[BDM 3]

I understand the importance of not drinking your calories. I was never warned about not using a straw. I saw people on here mentioning that they were told not to. The only thing I've read is that you drink fluids a lot faster if you are drinking through a straw. My question is, unless I was drinking something with calories, what does it matter. If I'm drinking a diet tea with zero calories, why does it matter.

[chris1142 148]

I was told not to use a straw because you take in more air when drinking with a straw and it can cause some discomfort for you. That being said, that's the only one of my doctors's recommendations that I haven't followed. I have used a straw since about 4 weeks out and found it worked okay for me and let me get in all my liquids a lot easier. I checked back with the practice to make sure I wasn't doing any harm though.

[joybell18 82]

Hi BDM, what I was told is that drinking from a straw can make you swallow air which can cause bloating and stretch the pouch. I'm still so amazed at what every doctor tells their patients because it varies so much! Good luck!

[Forsythia 882]

Funny - there are people who do better with them and people who do better without them. My Water bottle has a straw in it. I use it every day. I don't think it makes me any gassier than if I were to take the lid off and drink it that way. I'm way more likely to spill if I take the lid off though (I often joke that I have a drinking problem because of this!).

The official line from my nutritionist was that you could use them or not, depending on how you react to them.

[Bob2013 326]

I think the straw thing is more for the couple months after surgery. Just release any extra air as it occurs (burp)

[bigloser2014 144]

I used the cocktail straws. They are smaller and suck in less air. I used them to drink my Water in the early stages after my surgery.

[Jersrose43 837]

I used a straw this weekend several time. I was ok I didn't seem to have extra air or anything.

7 weeks out

Edited August 4, 2014 by Jersrose43

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I use a straw and have since surgery. I was told not to by the doctor, but was told to use sports bottles like Camelbacks by the NUT. Uhmmm....Camelbacks have straws. I don't swallow air when I use a straw so it's better for me to use one than not.

[Kissifur 244]

My program also says no straws. However about two weeks after surgery I found that straws were the only way to get my Water in. Since I'm a gulper it actually was more painful to try and "sip". My doctor said it was fine as long as it didn't cause any discomfort from air.

[Tamlyn 107]

My doctor said only cocktail straws or juice box straws. 60 ounces of Water through a cocktail straw is gonna take me until doomsday!!

[Kissifur 244]

My doctor said only cocktail straws or juice box straws. 60 ounces of Water through a cocktail straw is gonna take me until doomsday!!

Or longer!

[Calimomof3 20]

I usually don't drink out of straws but this past weekend I bought some new Protein Shakes and drank them with a straw and then went out and had had two glasses of Water out of a straw and by that evening, I was miserable. I've never had gas soo bad, and for a few hours too... I was miserable and learned my lesson, no more straws for me!!!

[LKG 6]

My surgeon and family members that have had this surgery all told me "NO STRAWS". I drink my fluids better with one but because I was warned, I haven't had one. I am afraid of the pain that they may cause due to gas. I do not want that. I was told that the straws will bring in air and cause bad pain.

[Kissifur 244]

My surgeon and family members that have had this surgery all told me "NO STRAWS". I drink my fluids better with one but because I was warned, I haven't had one. I am afraid of the pain that they may cause due to gas. I do not want that. I was told that the straws will bring in air and cause bad pain.

You should follow your surgeon's instructions. Mine said the same thing and I didn't think to try one until after I became dehydrated. I spoke to him about it and he said it was fine as long as I am not having any discomfort, which I never have.

[BDM 3]

Thanks everyone. I had accidentally got a diet lemonade from a stand and drank it thru a straw. Got me to thinking why did it matter. Now I know. My NUT and surgeon never mentioned no straws. Appreciate the comments