Drinking ?

Do any of you drink from a straw at all?? I learned early on that we were not supposed to use straws after surgery because it allowed us to take in too much air? But I'm thinking it would really help me to drink more and drink faster!!

HEY MICHELLE, I PERSONALLY DON'T AND HAVE NEVER USED A STRAW. FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THE YOU MENTIONED, TO MUCH AIR IN THE STOMACH. I STOPED DRINKING OUT OF A GLASS ABOUT A MONTH AGO BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO TAKE FOREVER AND I WASN'T GETTING IN ENOUGH FLUIDS. NOW I SAVE A COUPLE OF 18.9oz BOTTLES, FILL THEM EACH MORNING OR NIGHT WITH FILTERED WATER. PLACE THEM IN THE FRIGE SO THEY GET REALLY COLD. THE NEXT MORNING I'LL POUR A PACKET OF WALMART'S BRAND OF SUGAR FREE DRINK IN AND START DRINKING RIGHT AWAY. BY THE TIME I GET TO WORK THE FIRST BOTTLE IS ALREADY GONE. I DON'T SIP, I GULP. FILL MY MOUTH W/ LIQUID THE TAKE ABOUT 2-3 SWALLOWS OUT OF THAT MOUTH FULL. SOUNDS STANGE BUT IT WORKS FOR ME. I FIGURE WHAT EVER HELPS ME GET IN ALL THE FLUIDS WORKS. I NOW GET A MINIMUM OF 67.6oz IN A DAY. HOPE THIS HELPED. DONNA, SFY

Fast is the keyword there. Straws can add air. You will experience pain if you drink too fast. I wouldn't use a straw. Aime

Hey Michelle!! I was told the same thing by my surgeon....no drinking with a straw ever again. It's on his list of rules of living with WLS. Hope you find a way to get your fluids in faster. Susan

Gotta agree with the others. No straws here either. I have enough trouble with the bubbles with out adding to the problem lol. Besides I can drink it faster out of a glass. Good luck! Felicia

Definetly No Straws Here Either...big NONO on my surgeons list!! To much air...to much pain!! Hugs,

Hey girly, I know what you mean with the straw. I was totally addicted to them before surgery and was terrified to leave them behind. But I did. Had to! The one thing that I can suggest is a water bottle that has a straw like feature that my surgeon and nut have ok'd for me. It is made by camelback. http://www.rei.com/product/48126716.htm Hopeing the link will work. The ONLY reason they ok's it was becasue it has what is called a bite valve and it holds the air out. It works on a suction type of a thing. Not really sure how to explain it. I too find that if I am drinking from a glass i do not drink enough and for me I drink faster that way and gulp more air that way. So for me I drink out of almost nothing but this bottle. This is the link to the 32oz one mine is just 25oz. It also helps me keep track of how much I am drinking as well. I know that I need a minnimum of 3 of these FILLED a day. I am also a nanny so having an open glass around me all day too is so dangerous. This keep my fluids right at hand at all times and I take it everywhere we go. That is my 2 cents you have to do what is right for you. You might want to check with your surgeon and nut 1st. Hubby and I are stuck like glue to ours. Check them out and check with the docs to see if they will ok them for you. Best of luck, Melissa

Uh...Michelle...you know what Jim would say...no straw! And you are not supposed to drink faster! I had emailed Jim at some point with questions about what I could and couldn't keep down and at some point I mentioned how I sometimes forgot and drank water down very quickly. Before he addressed the other questions, he was focused on my drinking fast and telling me not to do that. Needless to say, Jim's word is enough for me. No straw...and no fast drinking! Lisa