Drinking from a cup.

Since surgery almost 6 weeks ago I have been drinking out of a sports bottle.  When I went shopping today, I got a half gallon of Diet Decaf Orange iced tea.  I came home and put some in a cup.  I am having the hardest time drinking out of a cup.  Feels like I am gulping air.

What are your preferred methods of drinking?

I was originally told no straws, so I started out just using some large styrofoam cups I got from Costco at home.  At work I used paper 16oz coffee cups, but they would get flimsy after one use so I used a lot of them through the day.  Both of the options seemed wasteful and not very green.  Bottled water didn't seem like a good option either for the same reasons.

Eventually I latched onto Tervis bottles and now I use them exclusively.  My preference is the 20 ounce bottle with the grey cap.  There is no straw and it's somewhat sealable (if not perfectly tight) and has a finger grip that makes it easy to vary around all day.  This model works best for me since I only drink water now, and usually just straight from the tap.   However, I've seen their other models in use for coffee and tea (or whatever) by others and it seems to do them just fine.

They are a little expensive, but I've saved the original cost 100s of times over by now.  So, bottom line, I highly recommend Tervis as an option.

www.tervis.com

Bed Bath and Beyond carries Tervis, as does Kohls.  You can use the coupons!

Believe it , or not-- I think the delivery system DOES matter!  Lately, it seems to me it is easier with a small mouth water bottle-  Why?  Who the H. knows----  What ever works, go for it.  My Gosh,   I've gone from only warm or hot liquids, to tea woks for me, to, protein drinks?---ghaggg..., to protein drinks, bring it on, to .....  All I can say is, be flexible, and willing to explore , listen to your body, and learn.  Nothing is written in stone... the journey is never done.

My surgeon actually suggested using a straw when I told him that I was swallowing air early out. It was causing spasms and I was miserable. He told me to try it and it worked like a charm! No more air!

I've been using Nalgene's pretty much exclusively post-op.  Except in restaurants.  There I use the glass or a straw.  I haven't really thought about it!

At this point I drink out of everything. Cups,  bottles,  squeeze bottles, blender bottles,  straws. 

I drink from an insulated Camelbak water bottle (I was started with it day of surgery) or Tervis Glass/Mugs exclusively.  I now own 4 camelbaks in various sizes.  I have been a Tervis user for years.  My various Tervis glass/mugs keep things cold or warm for several hours (I drink with a lid).  I also drink out of regular water bottles and glasses or cups when needed.  I never use a regular straw.

I drink out of cups, glasses, bottles, cups with straws,  Tervis tumblers, Camelbak bottles...you name it.  No problems with any of them here.

I am very early pre-op , VSG is scheduled for mid July and I see my doc 2 more times before surgery. So between now and surgery I want to gather as many questions as I can. I'm a bit confused about the whole drinking air concept. What does it mean and will we ever be able to drink from a cup again? If anyone can fill me in I would greatly appreciate it. Thx!!