Straws or No Straws? That is the question~

There are so many rules to being a good Bander. My doctor never told me about the No Straw rule. I read it somewhere else. But I always followed it. Except for two times.

Once was on a road trip. My daughter and I were driving to Vegas. I was drinking my Starbucks, Passionfruit, Lemonade, Tea with no sugar syrup, Venti (ha!) We got to Vail and my stomach was so full. I tried to eat lunch and couldn’t. The first bite gave me my ’soft stop’ and I thought to myself, “why am I so tight?” Could it be the altitude? I had no idea. I had eaten breakfast 6 hours before and still felt full. I waited a couple of hours and tried to eat again. Same feeling of being too tight. First bite and feeling satiated. That’s when it hit me, “It might be the straw.” By the time, I tried to eat the second time, we were in Utah at the hotel, so altitude wasn’t an issue. That day, I was only able to eat breakfast - the meal prior to using the Straw. AND I had a bad bloated feeling all day.

So last week while in ABQ, I used a straw again. All day, actually. That evening, I thought I was going to die - my tummy was so full. I feared I had done something bad. By morning, I was 100x better and it again hit me that it was the straw. The Stupid Straw! What is wrong with me? Why did I try it again? Had I forgotten the road trip? Or was it that I see Banders use straws everyday and they claim they have no problems!

If I’ve learned anything, I’ve learned that every Band patient is different. Some have ’soft stops’ - some don’t. Some have problems with Bread - some don’t. Some can’t eat raw veggies or dry chicken - some can. Some don’t reach their sweet spot until they have had several fills - some reach it after one.

Some can use a Straw everytime they drink - I can’t.

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

May 13, 2009 | Filed Under My Everyday Life

Comments

3 Responses to “Straws or No Straws? That is the question~”

Zazzy on May 18th, 2009 7:41 pm

That’s really very interesting. My doctor is in the anti-straw camp and I rare use one, but I don’t think I’ve had any reaction when I have used one. You are totally right, everyone is different.

And Hi - I found you while looking for other blogging banders!
dee on May 19th, 2009 1:37 am

Hi! Glad you found me! I think it’s very strange how we are all different. I know other Banders who constantly use a straw with no problems. I have to admit, I miss my straws!
Nola on May 30th, 2009 1:42 pm

What is the reasoning behind not using a straw? I am fascinated….I have never heard of this before!! Hi, I also found you while surfing around lapband blogs:)