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I still don't understand why they tell us you're not allowed to have chewing gum post-op. I am 5 days post-op and would REALLY love a piece but I'm not sure what it will do. I mean obviously I won't swallow it or anything. I just want to chew it. Anyone post-op that chews gum??

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I chew gum. I'm 27 days post op. don't remember exactly when i decided i would try it. Probably at least a couple of weeks out. I'm never going to swallow it. Sometimes I just need to chew and have a taste in my mouth! Plus I quit smoking 3 weeks before surgery and still need it to help me curtail that too.

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I was told by me surgeon that chewing gum will put additional air and gas in your stomach. I am 4 weeks post op and do not know when I will be allow to chew gum. I am going to ask again on my next visit.

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I just started to chew gum again, I'm 64 days out.

I don't chew it long because it makes me nervous. I'm afraid I will swallow it or something

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I still don't understand why they tell us you're not allowed to have chewing gum post-op. I am 5 days post-op and would REALLY love a piece but I'm not sure what it will do. I mean obviously I won't swallow it or anything. I just want to chew it. Anyone post-op that chews gum??

Per my understanding the main concern with most surgeons on chewing gum is the fact you can swallow it. My surgeon never said I couldn't chew gum, so I do. I've never swallowed my gum before and don't intend to now... LOL! ;)

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I was never told I couldn't chew gum, however, when I did try it, I got terrible stomach pains from swallowing air while chewing. I had to spit it out about 5 minutes after putting in my mouth. That being said, everyone is different, so just try it and see how you feel.

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Since surgery I have never chewed MORE gum. It helps with cravings and aids in digestion. Chewing gum really helps me when I have "head hunger." It may not work for everyone but works for me. I have never gotten gas or anything from it and I don't have reflux either.

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I, too, was told not to chew gum by my NUT because I might swallow it and it could cause a blockage. I haven't swallowed a piece of gum since I was five. If I want gum I chew it. Jeez, treat me like an adult, will ya?

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Since surgery I have never chewed MORE gum. It helps with cravings and aids in digestion. Chewing gum really helps me when I have "head hunger." It may not work for everyone but works for me. I have never gotten gas or anything from it and I don't have reflux either.

I chew gum for all those reason you mentioned, I would also like to add something... I MUST have a piece of gum or a mint after having a Protein shake. It curbs the need to "chew" and the after taste on those things are hideous!!!

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my dr mentioned someting about when you chew your brain sends signals to your stomach to produce more acid since it thinks you are chewing food and the up acid production will make you feel hungry

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I didn't chew it for a while but it's one of those things along with coffee that I need now. coffee and gum both recommended as not to have or do post op by my doctor. I feel as long as i'm not swallowing it gum is fine, I will say I tried a piece early on and did have some discomfort due to air intake but at 8 months out this is no longer a problem.

I drink more then 64 ozs of Water so as for the coffee I don't think it's a problem, I only put skim milk in it.

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I have been chewing gum since I got home because the breath thing..I don't swallow it though

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    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
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    • BeanitoDiego

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    • ChunkCat

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    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
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