Question:
Should I use a straw?

Would using a straw help to avoid gulping water down? I am trying to get as much prepared as I can prior to surgery and I see that gulping water might be a problem for me since I currently drink ALOT but am a gulper. Any other suggestions for slowing down when drinking liquids? I head if you do this you will subsequently stretch out your pouch. Thanks in advance for the responses.    — Marangelli O. (posted on July 27, 2008)

July 26, 2008
no no no it causes air bubbles, which causes pain. Most surgeons say no straws at all. I agree with them. just try drinking 1 oz every 5 minutes, and soon it will come naturally. Good luck Cindi -230#
   — DollyDoodles

July 26, 2008
Okay, I know I am going to get a lot of opposing opinions on this, but I am a big fan of straws. They told me no straws when I was in the hospital, but since I've been home I have used them with no problems. And I don't believe I was ever told by my surgeon not to use them. Honestly, I don't understand how it could be an issue to get air through a straw ... If you are drinking from a glass, your mouth is not sealed around the glass and therefore, I would think you are getting air around the fluid ... But with a straw, if it is all the way down in your glass and you are sealing your lips around the straw, how are you going to get any air at all? I don't get it ... I mean, if my thinking here is skewed, I have no problem with someone pointing that out to me ... But in my mind, my logic makes perfect sense.
   — lauren_marie

July 26, 2008
My Surgeon and Nutrionist said NO sraws at all. Too much air and promoted gulping.
   — poohisme2

July 26, 2008
You will be able to determine how much water you can drink after surgery. I could not use a straw, it made me nauseous, I have seen others not be able to drink without a straw. Don't worry! Blessings on your journey friend.
   — bariatricdivalatina

July 27, 2008
I use a straw. My dietition and support group do not reccommend it but feel i drink slower with a straw. i do burb at lot but always have - for years before surgery. I don't know if it stretches your pouch but i am 9 months out and have lost 89 pounds since my RNY and 31lbs by pre op by dieting. Hope this helps. Nanajane
   — NanaJane

July 27, 2008
No, use a medicen cup that holds about an ounce. and sip tht. The hospital should ahve or will give you some if you ask. They are disposable plastic, and they give you a new one with any pills. Save them for home. I used them for almost a month. I would fill 10 with water and work on them over the hour to sip all my water. You will find that it is hard with stitches from RNY to swallow much of anything. The water is the same story, but it gets better as you heal. Just give it time, and take your time, but skip the straw, as it puts air in the gut and that is very unconfortable. You have to wall of the air from surgery, so don't add to it. That is why they don't want you drinking sodas. Best of Sucess to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

July 27, 2008
NEVER use a straw. This causes air pockets and can strech your new pouch. You do not want to go thru all this to cause yourself a problem. Good Luck.
   — Alvernlaw

July 27, 2008
LOL, you can see how we all feel differently about the straws. I was told no straws by my surgeon, but I never used them much anyway. I would tell you, then, not to worry too much about being a gulper. WLS will not allow you to gulp anymore; be certain of that. If you do, it will hurt and you will learn not to. For me, the little 1 oz medicine cups were not of help. You will do fine, esp. with the kind of thinking you are doing in advance. dana
   — jujuprof

July 27, 2008
Ok so everyone has there opinion and I thought I would give mine. NO STRAWS! But I bought a child's sippie cup at walmart that looks like a coffee cup this is what a good chunk of people use because you have to sip it. ( I have not had surgery yet but I do know when my surgeon said no straws I will follow that)
   — bridgadean

July 27, 2008
As they say, every body is different. I was a gulper before surgery, now find I can't gulp unless I'm really hot, have been working out, etc. When I am hot, I gulp. I guestioned my surgeon's office, they said there should be no problem. But of course again, every body is different. I've been told no straw, and I haven't tried using one since surgery. But I'd suggest no straw, unless you find you can tolerate it.
   — jct001

July 27, 2008
Hey all, Thank you all for your responses. I am going to begin the sippie cup thing since a few people had already suggested that. From the responses I gather that this is just for the first month or so after the WLS then and for down the road I guess I dont have to worry about stretching the pouch from drinking the water unless I do it while eating which will be a no no from now on. Again thanks for all the responses. I humbly appreciate them all. Lots of love!!
   — Marangelli O.

July 27, 2008
I've used straws since I got braces about 40 years ago. I tried before surgery to drink without them and had more problems. Then after surgery (on 7/17), I was using 1oz cups. I just graduated to larger servings (that's kind of funny to write when I think about it!), and was busy doing something and found myself drinking with my faithful straw. I haven't had a problem--no air, nothing. I think for me, I've used one so long, it's actually better because it slows me down. I would definitely talk to your surgeon though--it seems to be a huge mixture.
   — MKPstamps

July 27, 2008
I go with the gal that said she uses straws. I was told NO to straws too....but for me..... I could control the amount of liquid going in better with a straw...and I never have an issue with air pockets...or gulping....as I did with taking sips from a cup. If your straw is immersed in liquid..when you suck it up....there is very little air in there... and I could suck up just enough of the liquid that I wouldn't end up taking a huge swallow. I had more issues drinking from glasses or small cups. In the hospital...they gave me a straw....the nurse did herself....so honestly....I wonder how much of a certainty this whole NO straw thing is. I think you do what makes you most comfortable. Truly, the worst thing about straws...and water bottles too....is that you may make more mouth wrinkles down the road than you would if you drank from a cup or glass. Unless you smoke already that is.... apparently smoking and sucking on a straw or drinking out of water bottles cause the most mouth wrinkles. Might not concern some women.... but it might others...smile. Just my 2 cents worth. Hugs.....Cheryl
   — Cheryl K.

July 28, 2008
hi I to was told no straws and have not used one but I do know that everyonr is differant, I am three months out and have learned it is all trial and error, you must try things on your own to see how your body handles things. just take it slow , and your body well tell you what you can and can not do. you well do fine have read your profile and you well have great success. God bless girl be strong. cathy berry
   — bratta

July 28, 2008
I too was told no strwas, but the first thing I was given to drink in the hospital was the stuff for my leak test, and guess how I was supposed to drink it??? Through a straw... Then when I was finally given water, they brought it to me with a straw stuck in the cup.... the only time I ever used one before surgery was with soda when we went out. I just drink my water, sometimes it gets gulped and sometimes it gets sipped. depends on how thirsty I am. I am 5 weeks out from lap RNY and haven't had any issues with water.
   — Lisa B.

July 28, 2008
I'm 4 plus years out and I use straws a lot. I get less air through a straw then when I drink from a glass. I guess the only thing I do differently is to avoid slurping up air when the liquid runs out.
   — Lady Bugg

July 28, 2008
LOL...wow...Lots of answers! I agree with the no straw at first...but later out it's easier to get less air with the straw than a big gulp of water...I use straws now...but I couldn't right after surgery because the straw is filled with air and that is the first thing you sip down into your new pouch...Sipping from a cup the liquid goes directly from your your lips to your pouch, no air in between, ...Later..well that's a different story, because you prtty much can drink like your used to...Straws and all
   — .Anita R.

July 30, 2008
I'm still pre-op, but I just met with my nutritionist a couple days ago. She said no straw for that period immediately following surgery. She didn't say no straws forever. Frankly, the "sports bottle" I bought give me more air than even drinking normally, so that's out completely. I guess I;ll just muddle along as I have been and hope for the best.
   — Tina G.

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