at the Weight Loss Surgery seminar I went to, they said that after surgery we could no longer chew gum, even sugar free? Really? I really like gum and want to know if that is just them being over cautious or if we really, truly never allowed to chew gum? Obviously not a deal breaker, but I think I will be just a bit disappointed.

Thanks.

Wendy

I would look into that further, my surgeon suggested I bring gum to the hospital to help with dry mouth! Sugar-free of course!! Also, SF Lemon Drops he said were good, as they stimulate the saliva glands!!

i have kaiser for my insurance and they told me the same thing. saying that it encourages mindless chewing and snacking!!

also that if you swallow it, it could get stuck and will have to be surgically removed! WHO SWALLOWS their gum as a grown up??? I DON"T!!!! but, sure as i chew a piece i will!! LOL

i went to see my case manager and had gum in my mouth ( i am pre-op) and she got really pissed at me for having gum in my mouth and made me spit it out and give her all my gum in my purse!! Treated me like i was 5!

LOL LOL!!

Kelly

Isn't it crazy how things vary so much depending on where you go????

Boy, the differences in opinions even amongst pros is amazing. I just saw a post about someone saying their nut said NO Protein drinks - EVER! Most of us lived on them for a few weeks. They are still a big part of my diet and I'm getting close to 120 pounds gone in about 5 months.

What is the harm? SF gum won't do a thing except maybe make you swallow a lot more saliva (yuck). If you're that bad off that chewing a piece of gum will make you do something you shouldn't you probably shouldn't of been sleeeved - you've got psych problems .

With a pouch, gum can have trouble getting through the stoma. I've chewed gum for almost 2 years, and without issue. So, from what I've seen they are following the good ole' RNY rule on gum.

Gum is a lifesaver after meals when you can't drink, it also helps me keep from mindless eating and snacking. Everyone has different triggers. I can see how chewing gum can cause the want to snack for some, but others it actually helps keep me out of the cookie jar.

I had no restrictions on gum past the 6 week point.

My doctor said no gum because it pushes air into your stomach, which causes great discomfort. Plus the whole swallowing thing. I'm on a pre-surg modified diet, and I'm DYING for gum. I need to keep my mouth busy so I won't snack... right now I'm just drinking tons of water to kind of keep my stomach full and my mouth going. haha

My doctor said no gum because it pushes air into your stomach, which causes great discomfort. Plus the whole swallowing thing. I'm on a pre-surg modified diet, and I'm DYING for gum. I need to keep my mouth busy so I won't snack... right now I'm just drinking tons of Water to kind of keep my stomach full and my mouth going. haha

As a child, I swallowed gum, i hope they do not find a bunch of pieces stuck to my stomach, if they do, I hope it is stuck to the 80% they are going to remove.

Ahhh, I am going to have to ask about that. I am a chronic gum chewer. I am not kidding almost half a pack a day. I really don't know how I am supposed to quit. It really helps me keep from mindless eating and with my stress levels.

That's just what I thought. I don't go through that much, but I do like to chew gum while waiting for my 8yo daughter to finish up her guitar lesson or karate classes... and at night if I have gum, I eat WAAAAAY less than if I don't have it... Please update after you ask, I'm curious as to what other doctors will say...

thanks.

Wendy

I call BS on that. (Standard disclaimer: I'm not sleeved yet so I don't know what I'm talking about.) But if you don't swallow it and you don't have problems with gas caused from swallowing so often then why the heck not? As far as it causing us to want to mindlessly snack - heck I want to do that anyway! Sometimes gum keeps from putting something like chips in my mouth instead. I would like to hear more rationales for the no gum rule.

PFtttt I chew gum and have since day 1. Just make sure not to swallow it early out and don't forget to count the carbs/cals in it. I can chew 15 pieces in a day and that's 30 carbs! EEK

Gum is my LIFESAVER!! Not drinking with meals doesn't bother me but I really want it after dinner!!! I pop in a piece of gum and it helps with the thirst...also with 'head hunger.' I have never chewed so much gum At any time I have at least 3 different flavors in my purse.

I think these doctors 'over think'

I've done quite a bit of research on issues like this because the discrepancies between programs drives me nuts. This is one that, based on what I learned about the digestive system, makes sense. For me personally I will still occasionally chew a piece of gum if I want it but I do not want it to become a major habit.

The following link gives a fantastic explanation of the stomach's digestion process by a poster named Firehorse. When you chew, you start the ball rolling on the creation of acid. I don't want that to happen as I do not want to create an environment for acid reflux. But I think that as long as you pay attention to your body's reaction and stop if it appears to bother you, it wouldn't be that dangerous. I have never, in my adult life, swallowed a piece of gum. But you can bet that if I ever will, it will happen now!

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/803844