Chewing Gum

I am starting my 2 week liquid diet today.  I was wondering, i know some people chew sugarless gum to use as anappetite suppresant. Is it okay to chew gum during this liquid phase?  I've been told tht after the surgery you shouldn't chew gum.  I was hoping that this would take my mind off of food right now.  I already have a headache and its only been a few hours on teh liquid diet.  I just want to eat something.  What do you all think?  Do you think sugarless gum will take my mind off of food?

I chew up and have always chewed gum. I was terrified of it in the immediate post-op phase since I'd heard horror stories of people swallowing it but a few weeks later resumed chewing gum with no issues. It works for me for head hunger as I feel like I get to put something in my mouth and chew it.

I don't see why it wouldn't be OK but you can call your doc's office and ask if you want to be sure.

After surgery, chewing gum causes some people to suck in too much air and gives them painful gas.  It doesn't bother me, though.  Chewing gum after surgery might also be a problem if you tend to swallow gum.  But I have not swallowed gum by accident since I was a little kid.  If it doesn't give you gas and you won't swallow it, there is no reason not to chew gum after surgery.

 Some sugar free gums have sugar alcohols -- and cause serious GAS.

Use sparingly.

Gum was and is a lifesaver for me. It did help preop to have something to chew on. I know some people have problems with it post op, but I've never had an issue. I chew gum A LOT! One of the most difficult things for me to do is not drink after I eat. In order to give me something to focus on I chew gum right after I eat. I only chew it for about 20-30 minute and it helps with the waiting time before I can drink again after a meal. I've never had problems with gas or with the sugar alcohols in the gum. That being said, I'm not you... Try it and see how it works. If you have a habit of swallowing gum (I don't think I've ever swallowed gum...) then I would definitely avoid it post op.

Good luck with  your 2 wk preop phase. Its tough, but it'll get easier day by day!

Chewing gum actually isn't an appetite supresant. While you are chewing gum your mouth is moving (chewing) like you would be when eating food and this sends a signal from your brain to your stomach, telling your stomach that it's getting food, when it actually isn't, which can confuss your body. It could actually make the hunger worse.

But, I see nothing wrong with chewing sugarless gum on the liquid diet... just be sure not to swallow it. The artificial sweetners and sugar alcohols, can't be much different than those in crystal light and I was allowed crystal light on my pre-op diet (not sure what you are allowed).