Why no straw?

After my surgery I was told not to use a straw any more when I drink. Can anyone tell me why. I actually do better with a straw. I don't gulp it like you think of with a straw. I take a drink in my mouth and then swallow. Thank you for any insight! Lori

That's a good one. Too much too fast?? Makes for air into the pouch?? Oddly enough my first diet snapple had a straw in it from the hospital. I use a straw now. kp

I was told by my WLS that a straw caused us to swallow air, which in turn can cause gas, which KP knows plenty about, which in turn could possibly stretch the pouch at an early stage. When I had my abdominoplasty I sipped water through a straw. KP may have a point, straws=larger quantities. Therefore until you are far enough out to control it I wouldnt use a straw for a while. Or, ask your WLS and find out. Stacey W

I heard the same thing..it causes too much air which makes gas and you can't easily monitor how much you are getting from a straw. I just had my nurse consult last week and that's what they told me. dawn

Gee, I commented on using a straw a week or so ago and was told that I suck....so I guess I do. I use a straw. I don't understand the whole swallowing air thing. I, like you, take a drink into my mouth and then swallow it ....WITHOUT air. I mean, just because a person uses a straw doesn't mean they are drinking without thinking about what they are doing. Mostly, I use a straw because I have very sensitive teeth and that helps. I don't drink out of a straw all the time, but I don't NOT drink out of a straw for any reason either. Early on, it was easier for me to get my liquids in if I sipped them through a straw. So, I guess it's up to you. My surgeon never said to STOP drinking with a straw. And I was given a straw to drink my protein "box" drink in the hospital. To each their own, I guess. I do what works best for me. And I don't think I've damaged my pouch or anything like that by using a straw. Tina

I Was told that using a staw can increase the air swallowed and you will fill up before you are reallly "FULL". less air/more nutrition. I don't know yet personally. My surgery is Monday. I use a straw for everything though. I have very white teeth which I attribute at least partially to using a straw which bypass my teeth when drinking things that discolor the enamal on our teeth...orange pop, mountain dew, tea etc.