POST OP QUESTION????

I am told when you wake up from the surgery, that your mouth can be very dry. Is sugarfree gum allowed?? Probably a bad sign that i am already worried about putting something in my mouth.....LOL I just thought that it would wet your mouth a bit and you dont swallow it.............hmmmmmm.

the first 48 hours after surgery i was only allowed to have those swabs that had moisture on them then on the third day my surgeon came in with a medicine capful of water that filled up my pouch like i just ate a turkey dinner... you mostly sleep at first... my surgeon was afraid of gum for a while after surgery in fear you could swallow it Stacy 232/147/140 -85

I could only wet my mouth until after my swallow test was done which was about 24 hours after surgery. Once that was done I could drink water (very slowly!!) and have broth or jello. I was supposed to have 3 ounces of broth or jello and it was very hard to get it all in and it took me about 45 minutes. After the first time I had the broth I stuck with the jello because I couldnt stand the broth cuz by the time I took the second sip of it, it was cold - yech.

Andrea what is a swallow test? I'm scheduled for surgery on 2/15/05 so I'd like to know what to expect Sandy

The swallow test was like this - they sent me to radiology maybe?? They set me up with this type of camera, I guess, pointed at my abdomen, and then I had to drink 1 oz of liquid, quickly. The guy watched on a tv like screen as the liquid went through my system. After a few minutes I had to do it again, and then a third time. They watch to make sure that nothing is leaking and that all the liquid is going where it is supposed to go. The liquid did not taste good, but it was not unbearable. Anyway, once it is determined that there are no leaks and that everything is going where it is supposed to go, they clear you to start your liquid die****er, broth, sugar free jello, etc. It wasnt bad

hi i think no you would be able to eat gum it well make you sick kelly

Hiya Pamela! After surgery I wasn't allowed to have gum because the nutritionist and doctor said it causes gas for some patients (Gas is truly your enemy post-op!) . Ice chips and the little wet spongy thing are the best thing in the world after surgery! I had dry mouth after surgery, but I was more nauseous and gassy than anything. Once I had my leak test and was cleared for the liquid diet, I was pretty psyched to dig into my Jello. (You can imagine my consternation when I couldn't even get in a half ounce at first!) It isn't physical hunger that prompts you to 'eat' that first 'meal', its more that you want to wet your mouth and try this new 'pouchie' out. Besides, they won't let you go home until you can take in four ounces! No matter how much we were told how full we would be with only a few ounces, we (my sister Sara and I) were surprised to discover first hand that it is true! Hope this helps and Good Luck! Yvonne