Question:
I Heard Chewing Gum Reduces Recovery After Colon Surgery, What About WLS?

I just heard on NPR that chewing gum after colon surgery reduces recovery time... of course for us it would have to be sugarfree... anyone heard of this?    — Tim W. (posted on April 11, 2003)

April 11, 2003
my doc said not to chew it because of the possibility of getting your stoma blocked if you swallow it but I have chewed it and accidently swallowed a bite and it didnt get stuck but i will be more careful next time.
   — Delores S.

April 11, 2003
My surgeon says to NEVER chew gum again. She said that if you swallow gum, it will get stuck in your stoma and you will be in the ER having surgery to remove it! Ouch!
   — jenn2002

April 11, 2003
All doctors are different. My surgeon didn't allow us anything by mouth for 36 hours after surgery but we could chew gum to keep our mouths moist. Of course you have to be careful not to swallow it. In a newsletter my surgeon just put out the tip of the month was to chew gum if you eat a bite or two too many and feel over full and uncomfortable. Chewing gum aids in the digestive process. I had my Open RNY 16 months ago and I chew gum all the time (and it doesn't have to be sugar free). I dump very easily on sweets and gum doesn't bother me.
   — Patty_Butler

April 11, 2003
One word of caution to easy dumpers...I have dumped on sugar free coated gum...like the ones that come in the foil push through packages. I can't think of the name, sorry. The first time it happened I thought it was a fluke, but it has happened twice now! I checked the package and there are sugar alcohols in the coating which melts down and ends up being swallowed. I was so darn sick I wanted to die! Just wanted to throw that out there. Good Luck!
   — pam29922