Hello all! Are we allowed to chew gum pre op?

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I'm not sure about pre-op but I would say that if you love to chew gum, stop now. I was told that I can't chew gum post-op because of the air and therefore gas that it will produce. It'll be nice to have a jump start on getting used to it.

This debate is up there with straws. Seems a lot of doctors and nutrition classes haves differing opinions. My doc in particular was not concerned about me chewing gum or using straws, though the straw part caused a discussion in my room between surgeon/heart failure specialist and the nurses. The docs won. As for the gum, he did not have a problem but said to make positive it is not swallowed, which could caused complications.

Bottom line, follow whatever guidelines your doctor puts down. If you have questions that we're not covered, discuss it with him/her.

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The gas pain I have experienced post op is worse than than any other post op pain. No way would I risk making it worse by chewing gum.

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I chew gum after I eat..it helps me not crave drink since I have to wait a full hour before drinking anything after I eat. My surgeon ok'd straws after 2 weeks and no issues with gum.

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