Be very careful with chewing gum

sam1am
on 4/29/12 12:31 am

Hi Joyce,

You know, I smoked for years, disgusting habbit and I couldn't believe people would bite their nails. I know this is pretty out there, but it just goes to show what is strange to some, is normal for others. I remember a post way back where both Leanne and Karen both said they chewed gum and swallowed it and I was surprised,, hehe. Its just something that I have never done and can't imagine doing - no insult to anyone who does (after all, I was a smoker, lol).

The part about food not getting passed confuses me, lol. How big a wad of gum are people chewing? Or conversely how small is a pouch? I keep thinking about size of a hamburger for a meal and a little piece of chewing gum getting in the way. I think that I think too much!

Beautiful and sunny here too, but much too cold. Have a wonderful day, Joyce!

Sandy
                "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody  else up"
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OKNEE FE + 3
on 4/29/12 8:05 am

VSG on 09/17/09

As a VSG like me you may not be aware that the stoma(new entrance) to the RNY pounch is very small and may easily be blocked by poorly chewed foods, too large a bite of food and yes a piece of swallowed gum.

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sam1am
on 4/29/12 8:08 am

VSG on 09/08/09

I think you're probably right, Leona. I was forgetting the size of the stoma. Thanks!

Sandy
                "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody  else up"
                              Mark Twain          Animation One

Karen M.
on 4/29/12 10:33 pm - Mississauga, Canada

RNY on 03/21/06

*raises hand*

Me! LOL Hence I don't chew gum anymore - I swallow it accidentally all the time.

Karen

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Joyce J.
on 5/1/12 11:23 pm - Scarborough, Canada

RNY on 08/03/05

Thanks
I felt like such a dumb ass LOL when people started saying "who swallows gum anyway, even accidentally LOL

Now I don't feel like a dumb as "so much" anymore LOL

Joyce----Today is the first day of the rest of your life

Toni B.
on 4/28/12 11:06 pm - Sudbury, Ontario

RNY on 01/19/12

That's a good reminder for us all Joyce! Thanks for posting this!!!

I am not really a gum chewer, but on occaision I have had a piece...rarely but in an attempt to mask coffee breath, I have chewed gum when mints were not available.

But this reminder is really important because chewing a piece of gum is such a mindless every day thing for many people, and as post-op RNY'er it has the potential to be a such a serious risk... with all the rules that we must learn and follow post-op, NOT chewing gum is one that had slipped my memory...

I sincerely hope your friend is going to be ok...

Toni..."Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the will to overcome it"
www.fatgirlchangingherworld.com Twitter:@fatgirlchanging
Surgery JAN. 19th, 2012 - Down 120 lbs & 75 inches @ my last Weigh in!!!!

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ericaFG
on 4/28/12 11:36 pm - Cambridge, Canada

VSG on 06/10/09

I've also heard that the long term effects of gum chewing are bad as well. Apparently chewing gum stimulates your stomach to produce acid (in preparation for the food it thinks is coming after chewing). In an RNY blind pouch, I can assume that is bad news.

It's also supposed to make your body want the food - stimulating appetite etc. And some say the SF stuff messes up your insulin levels etc. Enough for me to avoid gum!

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Megan M.
on 4/29/12 12:15 am - Canada

RNY on 07/22/11

This is one thing that really scares me, and I refuse to put gum in my mouth - I know I would mindlessly swallow it. But sometimes I just would love that fruity burst of flavour in my mouth. Guess I'll have to settle for some actual fruit!

Had RNY surgery July 22/11, St. Joe's Hamilton, with the awesome Dr. Scott Gmora. Had abdominoplasty August 2/13, Scarborough, with equally awesome Dr. Michael Kreidstein.

lbaetz
on 4/29/12 12:51 am - St. Thomas, Canada

RNY on 06/26/09

That was one of the first rules I was told post op along with never to use a straw again. Great reminder for everyone to GO BACK TO THE BASICS!

Lori

Onward and
Downward
on 5/2/12 3:04 pm - Canada

RNY on 11/07/12

I hadn't thought about the danger of swallowing gum, but we were told in our nutrition class that the issue with chewing gum is swallowing air, and that's the same reason we're not supposed to drink carbonated drinks, or to drink with a straw.

The thought of a wad of gum blocking the opening of the pouch is scary!

Referral to registry: Oct 21, 2011 Orientation (TWH): Feb 22, 2012 Surgery: Nov 7, 2012

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Be very careful with chewing gum