I haven't been banded yet, but I'm working on all the lifestyle changes that have been presented to me such as not drinking 30 minutes before, during, or for 30 minutes after a meal. Today after lunch I slipped a piece of chewing gum in to quench my thirst for now. Will I still be able to chew gum as long as I don't swallow it? Does it matter I didn't wait 30 minutes after eating before chewing it? Thanks for any and all comments.

I haven't been banded yet, but I'm working on all the lifestyle changes that have been presented to me such as not drinking 30 minutes before, during, or for 30 minutes after a meal. Today after lunch I slipped a piece of chewing gum in to quench my thirst for now. Will I still be able to chew gum as long as I don't swallow it? Does it matter I didn't wait 30 minutes after eating before chewing it? Thanks for any and all comments.

Doc told me no gum because you risk the chance of swallowing it. And I was also told that chewing gum makes you hungry not just because of the chewing sensation but because of the chemicals in the gum it's self. I stick to breath strips. After the surgery you will pretty much be drinking every hour so you won't need it to quench your thirst to much. You will need to consume 64oz of fluids a day.

I chew sugarfree gum often. My doc is ok with it and it doesn't make me hungry at all. I never swallow it.

You will find many different opinions on this one.

My surgeon said not to chance it. If you get bumped or trip or something like that and you accidently swallow your gum...it's another surgery for you! I don't think it's worth it! And I used always have gum in my mouth pre-op!