Question:
How long after RNY before gum?

Will I ever be able to chew gum again? If so usually how long after surgery? Right now when I have the head craving I have a tictac,they work!    — davonjack (posted on March 5, 2010)

March 5, 2010
Hi. I chew gum...sugar free gum, half a piece at a time. I do not have a problem with it at all, I am just very careful not to chew it when I am exercising or doing activities, don't want to swallow it by accident. I am 4 weeks post-op and I guess I started about 2 weeks ago. It was not something I asked my doctor about. In the hospital after surgery when I was so thirsty I wanted gum.. However I was told by my nurse that I could not have gum, I might swallow it by accident and it would get stuck... Good Luck!
   — Jolee V.

March 5, 2010
i asked the same question to my doctor cause i was a big gum chewer and was told never again. its not a good idea. not only if you accidently swallowed it could it be a very big problem health wise but also it deters you from drinking your water and protein drinks and at times you can swallow air chewing it.
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 5, 2010
At 10 years post-op I still don't chew gum. I was told never by my surgeon. The idea of it getting stuck and having to get scoped to fish it out broke me real quick. The tic tac is a good idea. Also, if you are home and battling head hunger, try drinking some water and then brush your teeth.
   — Kellye C.

March 5, 2010
My Dr. says NOOOOOOOOOO gum, I think it causes too much gas and God forbid if you swallow it. Good luck
   — FSUMom

March 5, 2010
I have chewed gum since I was in the seventh grade. Sugar free now of course. I chewed gum when I got home from the hospital...my doctor said the main scare was swallowing it. I was very careful. I have given a lot of things up with a happy heart...but gum? Not quite ready to give it up. My surgery was five years ago...by the way. No regrets....life is good.
   — VeeVonne

March 5, 2010
I am 3 months out and started chewing gum again.. at the surgeons vistit I got into a verbal with the secretary over them making me pay for the visit that was suppose to be included in the surgery cost.. well to mkae a long story short after the argument I realized my gum was gone.. I had swallowed it.. I asked the doc about it and he said at this stage it should padd but now I have to watch to make sure and if eating get to where I think something is stuck then I have to to get an endoscopy done to get the gum removed from my pouch.. so I would say don't do it.. just like all the other things we give up, gum should be one of them... not worth the risks..
   — Teresa S.

March 6, 2010
I use the sugar free gum to prevent myself from drinking too soon after eating. I spit it out after 30 minutes. I am 10 months out and have been doing this since after the 1st month. No problems. But that is just me.
   — Kathy Thomas

March 7, 2010
I chew sugar free gum all the time, especially when I am craving something sweet. It takes care of the craving (most of the time.) It may cause more gas in some people - I haven't noticed a difference, as just eating can and does cause gas, and I don't stop eating. You will just need to try it out and see how it affects you.
   — Dawn A.