Going on 4 weeks post op and I have been good to follow all directions thus far. Not advancing my diet yet, still staying off caffeine, etc. I've been a good girl. Really.

But today, I was offered a piece of gum and I nonchalantly accepted without even thinking.

As a matter of fact, it never once crossed my mind until an hour later when I accidentally sucked that bad boy down! Damnit.

So, I'm a little over an hour out and still drinking Water with no problem. I absolutely refuse to contact my surgeon's after hour coverage unless I begin to vomit or feel discomfort.

Just curious...anyone else experienced this little mishap? How did you rid yourself of the gum? Run its course or surgical removal?

(Lesson learned....NO more gum so please no lectures)

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lol....rule of thumb. If it went down then you are in the clear.

I never freaked out over accidentally swallowing gum but I was scared to take my huge honking fish pills forever after surgery. I just recently had the courage to take them and I still get nervous with each one.

Edited April 21, 201610 yr by Proud2BMe

Haha!! I will admit- when it first went down, I totally freaked. ???? I've eaten and continued to drink since the traumatizing experience and feel as good as new! So no more worries here...

Those pills are huge! I don't blame you for being hesitant! Do you feel any discomfort when you take them? I'm still on chewable Multivitamins and liquid Calcium. I've been cleared for pills but figured I might as well finish these off before getting anything else.

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What's wrong with gum?

Haha... I have a little joke when I swallow my gum... "Oh crap!! Gum takes 7 years to digest, my stomach is so small I guess I won't be eating for a while.. ". Seriously though you'll be fine

That's a good way to look at it, @@cindyw41 ! Lol!! I couldn't believe I swallowed it. I can't remember the last time I did that pre-op. And here I am 3ish weeks out and inhaled the first piece I chewed. Go figure

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What's wrong with gum?

Chewing gum post op is frowned upon by most surgeon's. At least as early as I am. Those that don't condone it forever, still require you to wait around 12+ weeks.

It can cause blockages and require surgical removal depending on the situation. Can cause you to swallow more air than usual. And a few other things..

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What's wrong with gum?

Chewing gum post op is frowned upon by most surgeon's. At least as early as I am. Those that don't condone it forever, still require you to wait around 12+ weeks.

It can cause blockages and require surgical removal depending on the situation. Can cause you to swallow more air than usual. And a few other things..

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Most surgeon's what?

This is the first i am EVER hearing about not having gum. Is swallowing gum really that common?

I chew a lot of gum, never even stopped when i had my sleeve. Was chewing a few days post op

@@Sophie74656 Each bariatric program varies. My personal program prohibits gum. But that may not mean yours will necessarily. If you have concerns, I'd contact your surgeon's office to verify.

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My program prohibits gum too. They didn't until they had a patient who swallowed gum accidentally and it blocked their outlet and they had to go to the ER and have it removed endoscopically.

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Omg @@shrinkingkimber that's exactly what I was scared of!!! Lol. I woke up this morning feeling a little nauseous. I didn't know if it was due to the swallowed gum or something unrelated. I've been able to continue drinking so far, so I think I am fine. My doctor would kill me if I showed up in the ER for that. He calls me his "poster child" and I can't ruin that rep! Lol. But in all seriousness, he's hard to win over, so I really don't want to get on his bad side..

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I wasn't allowed to chew gum for like the first 4 weeks, but they said it was due to swallowing air and causing gas.

I do chew gum now, almost daily, but I am very cautious to never swallow. I have no idea if it will cause an issue, but for some reason it freak me out... LOL

If you woke up this morning alive you should be OK... :0