Why can’t I use a straw? Does anyone use a straw?
The straw debate is nuts but we get it. It creates almost as much passion and drama as the ‘which surgery is best’ debate, 😉
We have all used a straw in life so let’s talk our way thought this. A straw is a column that you draw liquid through before swallowing. That column is filled with air before you suck up and replace the air with liquid. IF you swallow that air, it can fill your pouch and intestines and be quite uncomfortable. BELCH… burrrrp… belch… burrrrrrrrrp… burp! That is the AIR you have swallowed.
Next time, suck through the straw and THINK while you are doing it. Swallow the liquid and not the air. If somehow you can’t manage this maneuver and the belching doesn’t stop… DON’T USE A STRAW. If you can drink through a straw without GULPING air with your liquid and belching, it’s fine to use one.
Doctors say ‘no straws’ because they can’t judge your sucking skills by looking at you and err on side of caution.
so post ops will remain fat regardless of diet or regular soda?
I was told that the carbonation wiuld stretch out my pouch. It is true, ive gained on diet mt dew. Doing better off them but hate water. Thats my struggles.
Use some flavor packets – I like the Propel raspberry lemonade.
i cant drink cold water. i often have to drink room temp water AND add Mio or something like that to it.
It’s the sugar or sugar alternatives that have caused weight gain, not air.
I have forgotten why no drinking one hour before and after eating?
AFTER… Dont drink AFTER meals for at least 30 minutes so you wont wash your food through your pouch.
Not applicable to VSG patients, as they have an intact pyloric sphincter.
I don’t recall the before reason bc my nut said it was OK for me to drink prior to eating since liquid goes through the sleeve fairly quickly. But the after is for two reasons, as I understand it: 1. Your stomach/pouch will be full of food and adding liquid to it will be very uncomfortable and probably ultimately lead to stretching or other stuff and 2. The nutrient dense meal that you just ate needs to be digested and those nutrients/vitamins absorbed, and drinking right away rushes that process and lessens the good stuff that you are feeding your body.
I am clearly not a nutritionist and these are my words and my understanding. I am 6 years out and while there are many rules I have broken, one that I NEVER stray from is waiting for at least 30 minutes after eating before I drink anything. Even if my meal is a protein shake. I want that stuff to sit in my stomach as long as possible.
Hope this helps.
Folks, soda is just plain bad for you! It is filled with sugar or artificial sweeteners. They both cause isaline reactions. Plus all the artificial junk in it. There are studies out there that indicate a correlation between soda and pantriatic cancer. It’s almost as bad for you as cigarettes ! Why on earth would anyone drink that junk?
I have uses a straw off and on for the blast 16 years. (surg date, 9/15/2000), and never had a problem. I’ve learned to not suck down the air in the straw, much better.
I DO NOT drink any kind of soda, bad Stuff.
I drink a glass of water about 10-15 minutes before eating, makes me full and don’t want as much and I wait at least 30 minutes after a meal to drink
16 years post, 140# lost forever!!
I’m 14 years post opp, have teeth pain with using a straw, so I’m still using them
I do the same. surgery 2007 down 196 lbs, cut out all pop, sweets, junk food and no issues with regain.
I use a straw that’s how i get most of my fluids in I’m post- op 6 months lost 67lbs
I use a straw, its the only way I can stick to small sips. I take 2-3 small sips after meals so I don’t feel so bloated. No carbonation whatsoever and don’t miss it. Mio liquid water enhancers get me through the water tasting blues. 6 weeks out.
I am 5 days post gastric sleeve….I can’t sip anything without becoming EXTREMELY nauseous. Is thins NORMAL? How long will it last?
Inga, I too have serious nausea… Sleeved on November 16, 2015 I still get nauseated I am permanently on Zofran I take one in the morning and it gets me through the day although sometimes I have to take another later in the evening.
I use a straw without any problems. I don’t like drinking plain water so I use the diet tea mixes from Wal-Mart. I had my surgery done Jan. 29th, 2015 and I have had a diet drink in over 3 years. I think it is to each persons choice and liking on using straws. When in doubt then don’t as each of us is different.
I completely disagree 2 years out have no issues. There are plenty of WLS patients that use the straw no issues.
I also have drinking cold water Bonnie most always room temp 11 years out