Straws - ThinnerTimes

LauraLee · 05-11-2005, 08:37 AM

I know we are not supposed to use straws. I don't recall why though. My question is...is it becasue the air will stretch our pouch? Or is it becasue the air causes us to have access gas? Or Both? Thanks in advance for your knowledge!

LizardQueen · 05-11-2005, 08:40 AM

I use a straw constantly and have since about 4 wks out. i think it has to do with gas. I have two co-workers who had wls and they both use straws all the time. They are over a year out. I'm constantly on the go (work school kids) and it was too much trouble to use a big cup that wouldn't fit in my cup holder.

Amber

watergirl · 05-11-2005, 09:03 AM

With a straw, you get more air, with air you get more gas.

bridgetgirl · 05-11-2005, 11:59 AM

I use a straw, and Im still alive to talk about it! lol

Yeah what kim said its supposed to make you ingest more air and give you more gas, but heck that happened before I had surgery too! (Maybe the gas could possibly stretch your pouch in the long run?) I have no idea about the long term effects.....

lealphachienne · 05-11-2005, 07:05 PM

No fair, I have a hard time drinking from a straw, even when I concentrate. Well, except for those little stirring straws they give you with your drinks

JohnsWife4Life · 05-11-2005, 07:58 PM

LOL! I didn't mean to never use a straw girls, I use them too, how else you think I suck those Mocha Frappuccinos down? I mean the straw is not good for "fresh post ops". I am speaking strictly about gas pain. It won't stretch your pouch, don't worry. It won't harm you. The small amount of air that we swallow with the fluid doesn't really do anything to us that are not fresh out of surgery. After surgery the air that invades the abdominal cavity, (or whatever cavity), mixes with the gas and becomes very painful. Like any gas, it just turns and turns, and bloats up until you begin to pass flatus. The gas pain is the reason you don't want to use a straw when you are fresh , It is hard enough for our bowels to "wake up". I think I was home like 4 or 5 days before mine woke up, then the recovery began, passing flatus, losing the water weight. You already feel, and are swollen, and sore, you don't need more pain. Trust me when I say gas pain is often more painful than the incision itself, I know it was for me. Four C/S, and the third day was always so miserable from gas pain than anything else. Same was true for the GBP, I thought I would die from gas pain, I laid on the floor and cried, and I hadn't used a straw. Walking fresh post op will help move the gas faster too, even though it is painful. I was wondering why a few sounded offended about the straw. I was only trying to help. I do understand that some may be just too weak to lift a cup to their lips, in that case you might use one, I myself would then spoon ice chips into my mouth or have my husband do it for me. I avoid straws after surgery no matter what. I guess you might say it is like this, if beans cause gas, and you just had surgery would you want that gas to bloat up and push on your manipulated internal organs? Remember you already have enough gas just from anesthesia to cause this. Whats a few more teaspoons of air? (teaspoon = 5 cc's) You tell me.

Hugs.