Just a silly question. I chew gum a lot, I also seem to swallow it a lot. Are there any problems with this, I mean other than you aren't suppose to swallow it?

Thats right Seppi,

just try not to swallow it!

I remember several months ago when someone on here accidentally swallowed her gum - she was terrified! Someone told her to eat some peaut butter (it helps dissolve gum) - before long she felt it pass!

I was told by mr Dr. just this past week that chewing gum for us bandsters will create more gas ( because of the air we swallowwhen we chew)since the band now acts as a one way valve and I have tested it, it does for me, I used to chew gum like crazy and was gassy like crazy, but since I have stopped chewiong gum, the gas is minimal.

I was having the same doubts about gum too. I used to chew it all the time and swallow it but I just recently started back chewing gum since I got banded in Feburary 05 and I was really worried about what would happen if I swallowed it. I just choose to throw it away.

I chew gum all the time, but never swallow it!

I have not had Gum since I was banded. Doc said no Gum.

I was never a big gum chewer before the band..

I'm definitely a gum chewer... especially in that hour after a meal when I'm not drinking Fluid. My mouth gets so dry. So, I either pop a piece of bubble gum in my mouth, or a mint. I guess this is one area where I'm not following doctor's orders. We're not supposed to chew gum (because of the potential of accidentally swallowing it), but I do it anyway. I just can't STAND the taste left in my mouth after some meals.

Hugs,

How my body responds to gum chewing depends on my level of restriction. At little to no restriction - gum gives me shoulder pain and when I throw it out the pain goes away (must be gas)... But at higher levels of restriction, I can chew gum just fine and I am very careful not to swallow it.

You might have to test it to see how it goes.

I can't chew gum, it gives me really bad gas and I start gagging and almost pb, so I don't chew gum anymore.

My Dr. also tald me gum was a no no, if swollowed it could completely block the band and than I would be in big trouble.

My Dr. also tald me gum was a no no, if swollowed it could completely block the band and than I would be in big trouble.

My Doctor said the same- but since I am not filled right now I have been chewing & been very very careful to spit it out pretty quick.

I don't remember anybody telling me not to chew gum, but by personal experience....the minty stuff (my favs) kind of opens me up for more reflux so I tend to not have it or to chew it for a very short time before spitting it OUT!

I have no problems chewing gum.. i get NO gas, NO pain nothing... I have always been grossed out about swallowing gum so I wont do that. but so far it dont do anything to me. Now drinking water to fast.. I burp all kinds!! LOL

I chew gum alot since I got banded. I usually chew sugar free gum after I eat. It helps my mouth not be dry since I wait an hour or so to drink after a meal. . I'm very careful not to swollow it!

Thank you everyone for the information, I guess I can chew it if I can give up swallowing it, I'm not sure that I can do it because I always swallow without thinking.

I was told that chewing gum stimulates stomach acids (as if stomach was getting ready to digest a meal) so not only can it make you gassy and refluxy but can cause you to want to eat more. Don't know....just passing along what I was told.