The Last Straw

I've been told by my Bariatric Centre that following my roux en y I can never drink from a straw again.  As in never ever.  Fair enough, I can do that.  Of all the things that I am prepared to change in my life, no more straws doesn't even rate!  I've also seen other threads on these forums that other people have been told the same thing.  

I have a wls instagram account, and follow quite a few other people on their wls journeys.  There are SO many of them who seem to regularly post Starbucks selfies with that big green straw.  

Do straws affect different people differently?  I don't think I'll miss a straw.  I've already stopped using them.  But...are these folks doing damage to themselves? (I mean besides courting pre-mature mouth wrinkling!!!)

I've wondered that too! 

I have heard it may have to do with swallowing air as you drink?  I've never had an issue with swallowing air when using a straw and being so soon post-op, I'm not going to try it.  (And my standby was my venti Starbucks cup!)

The reason we aren't allowed to use straws or chew gum, is that it causes air to enter our pouch. Doesn't seem detrimental... until you get the teeniest, most painful air bubbles in your pouch & have to wait for them to either come up or work their way down & out. Another reason is that the air takes up space in our pouch which we could be filling with protein, but we feel full, so we don't get that extra bit of protein. Even if your straw is in your cup & you have plenty of liquid as well, when you draw on that straw, before the liquid makes its way into your mouth, you'd think there's nothing in there, but that "nothing" is AIR.

Remember some people choose to do what they want not what the centre tells them they should be doing.

Hmm ... I drink from straws and chew gum ... I wasn't told otherwise.  I'm 11 months post-op and haven't had any issues with either.  However, you'd be best to follow the rules set out for you by your clinic!

TES

I absentmindedly grabbed my water glass with straw and drank from it about 6 weeks post-op. I now know how a baby feels when they have a gas bubble trapped in their tummies. I didn't feel well for about 5 hours then I finally used a gas-x strip to help with the gas. The strip wasn't even dissolved and the air was released...along with the little bit of water that was on top of it. Instant relief.

I've moved on from my straw cup to a nice Contigo water bottle.

Tammy :)

Oh this is good to know. I thought we just couldn't use straws in the beginning after surgery.  

I was never told not to use a straw , or not to chew gum . I don't really chew gum now , never have been a big gum chewer,  but a straw I use all the time , in my big sippy cups for my water at night . Makes me feel like it's more of a novelty drink while I'm watching my movie or whatever ( tonight it's Jaws ! My fave😂) ....but yeah , never had an issue. I can understand the logic behind it with the extra air and all that , but honestly there are so many little things that we read and hear , but until you are actually living through it , just best to do what you feel is the right thing for you with the guidance of your Centre . 

Good luck x

Jax x 

I am 20 months out.  I use a straw on occassion,  no issues.  It took me a long time to try using one and I have always been fine. 

I am 12 months post op and I use a straw daily and chew gum.  I was told by my centre HRRH that chewing gum and using straws was completely off the table post surgery.  For the first few months post op my breath was absolutely horrendous.  I mean I could knock people out with a heavy sigh!  I had an important meeting to attend and knew despite having brushed my teeth and using mouth wash my breath was still atrocious.  I popped a piece of gum right before the meeting out of desperation and was quite happy to learn it didn't bother me in the least!  I do have to admit that it did give me gas and after my meeting I did have a burp fest in the privacy of my own car LOL  My body has since adjusted and there is now very little gas.  I use straws daily because I absolutely cannot tolerate the taste of the protein shakes and find drinking them through straws limits the taste.  Again absolutely no issues.  No pain, no gas.  I believe everyone's experience is different.