Hi All! I know I can ask my doc about this and I will, but I wanted a concensus....

I'm doing a fairly long pre-op "atkinsesque" diet to shrink my fatty liver, consisting of 2-3 low carb shakes, lots of water, and "palm sized" lean protein (only fish turkey or chicken) and some low carb veggies.

What I was wondering is...I'm going NUTS! Do you think I could chew some sugar free gum, just to get rid of the ick taste in my mouth? Plus it gives me something to gnaw on besides my chair arm. I don't want to

blow it; and I CAN tough it out if I have to. Had I followed his rules properly at first I'd have been banded 8/11, so I don't want to cheat. Just wondering if, pre-op, sugar free gum is ok. What do you think?

I would think that sugar free gum would be okay.

Hi All! I know I can ask my doc about this and I will, but I wanted a concensus....

I'm doing a fairly long pre-op "atkinsesque" diet to shrink my fatty liver, consisting of 2-3 low carb shakes, lots of Water, and "palm sized" lean Protein (only fish turkey or chicken) and some low carb veggies.

What I was wondering is...I'm going NUTS! Do you think I could chew some sugar free gum, just to get rid of the ick taste in my mouth? Plus it gives me something to gnaw on besides my chair arm. I don't want to

blow it; and I CAN tough it out if I have to. Had I followed his rules properly at first I'd have been banded 8/11, so I don't want to cheat. Just wondering if, pre-op, sugar free gum is ok. What do you think?

I did something similiar, called the South Beach, only we were allowed nuts, almonds, peanuts, etc and low fat string cheese. I had sugar free popsicles too, but only a few. I lost like 12 pounds in 10 days. pretty awesome diet..

Coolcrystal, I would ALMOST kill someone for string cheese and some nuts! LOL

BUT...I learned my shameful lesson. How sad that at age 53 I find myself alone at 11:42 PM on a Monday, Jonesing for a piece of sugar free gum! LOL

I think I'll go w/Long2befree and just chew it. One piece won't make my liver fatty; it's fat free......

Coolcrystal, I would ALMOST kill someone for string cheese and some nuts! LOL

BUT...I learned my shameful lesson. How sad that at age 53 I find myself alone at 11:42 PM on a Monday, Jonesing for a piece of sugar free gum! LOL

I think I'll go w/Long2befree and just chew it. One piece won't make my liver fatty; it's fat free......

Enjoy the gum now because once you are banded you can't have it.

You should check with your doctor to see if SF Popscicles, Jell-o and Crystal Light are okay. If you get really hungry try blending your shake with crushed ice. It helps a little bit when really hungry.

Thanks! I rarely chew gum; that's one reason, I guess, that we have any on hand. I guess they don't want you to chew gum in case you swallow it? I just have to do this through the 28th and will make it but tonight for some reason just was starved. It's funny, for past diets I would "hang tough" at night by telling my self I could have breakfast the next morning. Now...NOT! I will ask if there is anything I can add to expand the menu a little; I think most of his patients do NOT have to do it as long as I.

Thanks again for your answers!

why wouldnt you be able to have sugar free gum post op? its not like you will swollow it

why wouldnt you be able to have sugar free gum post op? its not like you will swollow it

Accidents happen...sometimes people accidentally swallow their gum. Not typically a problem but with the band, it can get stuck and cause some serious issues.

why wouldnt you be able to have sugar free gum post op? its not like you will swollow it

It's not so much about swallowing it as it is about swallowing all of the air when you chew it. You don't realize it, but you are swallowing air. Just like you don't realize it, but when you drink through a straw you are swallowing all of the air that was at the top of the straw.

I can do the "no gum" but not "no straw"...I have gum disease and just almost can't drink without one! We'll have to see how that goes, I guess.

can wait until I can reply to this I don't have my appointments until friday ... but I'll let you know what i think this weekend. I think I shoudl get my lap band surgery really soon since i am a cash pt. So excited I could scream and yet so scared I could cry...be interested in anyone elses experican. .... Theresa WA

starting weight 220

surgery weight unknow

money worth doing it ... priceless:thumbup:

Veriti88 good luck! I did call and ask and the NP at my surgeon's office said sugar free gum was ok. I have lost quite a bit of weight so SURELY my liver is shrinking. I sure understand about excited and scared. I'm past all that and into grimly determined..

Sorry I got your name wrong, veriteri88! it's the hunger, I swear.....

hey question is ther e a veriteri88 because I am veriteri68 would love to chat with them...

for those not banded and waiting for post op do you find yourself indulging in foods that you think you may never have again? I find myself doing that............

I think I just misremembered your screen name. Sorry!

and lord yes people are overeating like crazy...just search for it.

I'm not because of not shrinking my liver properly the 1st time ....so this time it's all protein shakes and lean fish for me. oh, and water. and sugar free gum.