Question:
I HAVE DENTURES AND WAS WONDERING IF THAT IS A PROBLEM FOLLOWING SURGERY?

I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS A PROBLEM WITH CHEWING FOOD AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR THE LONG TERM DIET PROCESS.    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 11, 2001)

February 11, 2001
I talked to a lady once who was vomiting a lot after surgery and she said she had dentures and couldn't chew her food like she thought she should. I suspect that was her problem. Chewing, chewing, chewing is essential for RNY patients. There would be ways to get around this if chewing is a problem, but it would involve pureeing your food forever. I hope this helps.
   — Cindy H.

February 15, 2001
I have dentures. I chew my food just fine. My teeth work well. They are a little big now that I've lost so much weight. And I look very funny without them in my mouth. My face caves in, and I look very skinny!!! I use dent-u-rite to make them fit snug. This is just one more thing that you don't have to worry about --
   — CohenHeart

March 24, 2002
Ahhh yes, those dreaded denture problems. I do indeed share your pain. I lost muscle mass in my face about 4-6 months after my surgery. First I had to have mine relined (didn't help the bottom plate at all) then was told to also use that sticky-gummmy paste stuff that you usually end up swallowing or sticking your lips together with. Nothing seemed to help. I then read some literature on dental implants and as horrible as it sounds, they really work. Now, before you go ballistic, you only need to have the implants done for the whole denture plate not each individual tooth. It took about 20 minutes to do under about 4 novacain shots and I haven't had a problem since. I have 2 very small inplants in either side of the lower dentures (near where your incisors would be) and the plate just snaps right in. I only wish I had the guts and the knowledge to do it sooner. Your gums will shrink over time and you will loose muscle mass in the jaws so it may be something you might want to investigate. It works for me. Good luck :o)
   — Pamela S.