Straws

I was told immediately post op not to use a straw (and I was kind of ticked off about it because all the other surgery patients got these really cool plastic cups with straws and lids but I just got a plain old generic paper cup) but anyway I was wondering if it was ok to use one now. I had thought the reason why was so that I wouldn't drink the liquid protein stuff too fast. My question is: Is drinking through a straw still a no-no 3 weeks out? I can handle drinking my liquids w/o a straw pretty fast and in pretty large quantities. I've mostly been drinking SF Kool-Aid and Crystal Light and I'm tired of my teeth and lips turning BRIGHT RED and looking like a 2nd grader. A straw would cut down on that a lot.

I was never told I could not use a straw. The only thing I was told was to make sure when I am drinking to be careful not to fill myself with too much air because with a straw you get a lot of air also. I have one of those big cups with the lid and straw that I use every day to help count the ozs I drink at work!! I love it. Shelley

I was told to say good bye to straws forever because of the air. It is all for our own good and success at a healthier life Joni 6/27/2005

I was actually using coffee stirers in the hospital. They are like ****tail straws. It helped me to learn to take lil sips. Now I actually drink ALOT of propel and they are in bottles so I can take lil sips with that as well. HTH. God Bless, Lori

I just asked the doctor at my one month checkup yesterday and he said it is no straws forever. I guess better safe than sorry... I will miss them a lot too. You should double check with your doctor and see if he or she thinks it is ok now- it might be that your doctor will let you- they are all different.

I got one of those nice cups with a straw when I was in the hospital and then was not allowed to use a straw also. I have thrown it away because the cup has drinking holes in the lid that I use.

I was told no straws ever again. I figure, anything that has the possibility of increasing the size of my new stomach should be removed from my diet. With this once in a lifetime opportunity, I am not taking a chance at possibly screwing it up! Good luck! - Beth

I was told to never use a straw either because of the extra air.

MIssy~ I was catching up on the posts and saw your question and thought I'd put in my two cents! I was told NO STRAWS period. The air issue (stretching out your pouch) is one, the other is you take in bigger gulps and you tend to gulp more quickly with a straw. I have seen many differences in diet and instructions from docs, but the "no straw rule" seems very consistent. My doc did not SAY now straws - but it was mentionned several times in the literature I was asked to read and learn. You may want to check there. Bottom line: I try to stay cautious - I'd lose the straw if there is any chance it could possibly stretch your pouch.... Hope this helps~ Tracey

Well, then, I guess I was right to avoid them. I'll just have to find smaller mouthed cups I guess. It's too bad because pre-surgery I was a big straw person. I rarely drank from cups without them unless it was a pop can...and now none of those, either! Oh, well, I'll live without them!