Is sugarless gum allowed post op? and when?

Would chewing some sugarless gum with 1 sugar acohol cause the dumping symdrome at two weeks post op? I would like to get a yucky taste out of my mouth and was not sure. It is Orbit gum and I wanted to chew some but did not know the answer to my question? Does anyone out there know the answer? Thanks for your help on this.

I have heard gum is a big no-no (right Becky? ) as it causes gas. You take in a lot of air while chewing. I found some mints, Ice Breakers, sugar-free, sours. So far they haven't caused me any problems and they do help with the yuck taste. I also found a web site last night that says sour tastes can help relieve nausea... still a terrible problem for me. We shall see... Best of luck to you Lm Barb

Thanks for the info. I will try and find those mints. They sound very good to me. God Bless, LMW

My MD never said i couldnt have gum so I do chew orbit quite often because one side affect I found with this surgery is bad breath. NO matter how much I brush, I cant get it out. I would ask your doc though to be sure. I have had no problems with the gum thus far but i dont recommend swallowing. D'Lynn

My doctor says NO for chewing gum after surgery. His reasons are that chewing is an automatic generator of gastric acids that are used in digesting foods. He said that chewing gum, and having those extra gastric acids, with no food passing thru to use them puts us at an increased risk of ulcers. And in addition, the chance of swallowing your gum is not good for our newly re-routed digestive tracts. Now, the reason you have the bad breath is more than likely because you are in Ketosis... Up your protien intake greatly, and it should help with the bad breath. I was really anal about the protien intake from day 1, and I never have had the trouble with bad breath since surgery. (Hahahaha... isn't that funny.... I was anal about it... and that is usually what it smells like... OK, sorry, that was a gross mental image, but oh how true...) Susan Lap RNY 12-1-04 285-189-155 (-96)

Thanks, I am working on uping my protein a little more each day. It is tougher than I thought. Any truth to protein available in a tablet?? I had heard something about Walgreens in relation to this? Thanks again for your help. Sincerely, LMW

I work in a pharmacy and we do sell a liquid protein. It has 15 grams per 2 tablespoons. It is around $15 a bottle and has 8 servings in it. Can't remember the name but I can check tomorrow if you are interested in it. I have been chewing gum from almost day 1. It really helped with dragon breath. I chewed extra which comes in a variety of flavors and is sugar free. However I have just recently changed to freedent (since I pulled off a crown that had been on for 10 years! ) It is not sugar free but it does not stick to dental work. Marie post op, 12/02/03 lap rny, Dr Hart 539/382/250

Thanks so much for your reply. I also emailed you a note as I could not get me computer to function properly at the moment to response here!! It seems to be doing alright now. Hence, my posting!! Thanks and God Bless, LMW

I would be interested in knowing what the liquid protein is called, I have a Doctors appointment on Wed. and may ask for some since the shakes and such make me vomit. Is it nasty tasting or can you get it flavored like other medicines?? Thank you!! Kathy

Thanks for asking that question! That was a really good one. My sister and I went back and fourth over that issue. She said no and I said yes. Weather it is the individual doctor's medical opinion or not, the reasons for not chewing gum are compelling reasons. I am a BIG gum chewer so I better get myself in check before WLS.