Oops! Gum Anyone?

I chew gum all through the day. Here's the bad part, I SWALLOW my gum all through the day too! After surgery i asked my Dr about gum chewing and he said it was okay but that he would prefer it if i didnt. I asked him if i accidently swallowed it (i know i normally do this) if it would cause harm? He said that if i swallowed it i would end up in the emergency room! Ok, so this should be enough to keep me from chewing the gum, right?? Wrong. One day shortly after surgery, i began chewing gum and ...Yup! I swallowed it. I was really scared and just waited for something to happen....but nothing did! So naturally i thought my Dr was just telling me that so that i wouldnt chew gum at all. After that i continued my regular routine of gum chewing and swallowing because it appeared as though it didnt harm me. Well, the other night at a support group i attend someone brought the subject up. I confessed my horrible habit to the group and they nearly all had a heart attack at the fact ive been doing this all day, every day on a regular basis! They all told me that the gum is just sitting there in my colon now. I cant help but worry. Is it too late?? Have i totally screwed up?? Someone suggested that i may even have to have surgery to remove it..??? Eeeeeeeeek! Have any of you discussed this in length with your doctor? No more gum chewing for me! I wonder if I should call my Dr. My next appointment isnt until April. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanx

I talked to my doctor about this. He told me that the gum could plug the opening of my new pouch and would cause a blockage if swallowed. I don't chew gum for that reason. He said if that happened I would have to have it removed via endoscopy at the hospital. I don't want to have to have any problems at this point. Jan

I have swallowed gum and I am ok It was only a piece or two not everyday I am ok i would just stop swallowing it. I can't I forget so I now eat lifesavers instead (I like to stick them on my tounge ring and flip them lol) dee

I never heard of such a habbit..lol! Sorry for the giggle... but swallowing your gum is a new one to me. Course it's no laughing matter if it causes you complications. I would probably tell your doctor what you've been doing and see what he thinks. Maybe there is something they can flush your system with to make sure it doesn't cause any blockage. And definately STOP swallowing your gum! Try sucking on lifesavers like mentioned in the other post. I've always told my children that if they swallowed their gum their back & tummy would stick together...lol! That's what I was always told growing up... not that I believe it, but it's fun to see the look on my children's faces when I tell them that....haha! And guess what? It works...they don't swallow their gum! And in your case Sharyn, it just might be true! Now that our tummy is so small... it just might stick together...lol! Becareful hun!

I think from now on im not even going to chew gum! I definitely dont trust myself not to swallow it because i never mean to...it just slides down! Crazy, right?!

Well When I chew gum it is only when I am with someone....My mom laughs at me because I tell her to have me spit it out after 20 mins...if I do not I will swallow it...I too was told it will plug your stomach...Well I miss gum but mints are ok...

I would be freaked out too! I know it's embarrassing.. but I would talk to my doctor about it if I where you. I'm sure you will be fine.. but it's good to get some medical advice as well. I have never been able to swallow my gum.. even when caught with it in school.. or class.. all my friends would swallow it to avoid getting in trouble.. but even though I tried.. I could never! LOL -Shakeira