Question:
Has anyone tried or asked your Dr about the new vitaballs vitamin gumballs

   — Lisa F. (posted on February 3, 2003)

February 3, 2003
I haven't heard of these before, but I was told not to chew gum AT ALL! So if indeed these are gumballs I wouldn't think it would be a good idea. Accidentally swallowing a piece of gum post-op could be disastrous!
   — Tambi B.

February 3, 2003
My surgeon and nutritionist FORBID us to chew gum, be careful and check with your doctors
   — Linda 1.

February 3, 2003
Personally, I haven't swallowed gum since I was a teenager (and then I did it on purpose). LOL I did try these and loved the taste and convenience . . . HOWEVER: Please note that these tasty little vitamins do NOT contain IRON. (This is good because iron is toxic to kids and if they got hold of some and chewed a bunch at least it wouldn't be fatal.) If you are going to use these as your vitamins, you'll need to take a separate iron supplement. As for me, I decided if I was going to swallow a pill anyway, it might as well be the multivitamin w/iron.<p>BTW, how I found out about the iron: I had been taking the Vitaballs for a couple of weeks and got the most horrendous headache that just would NOT go away. Until I ate a hamburger!?! I tried to figure out what it was about the hamburger that made me feel better . . . Fat? No. Protein? I was getting plenty. Iron? BINGO! I checked out my vitamins and realized I hadn't been getting my iron. Geez it made me feel rotten! I've been really careful about it since . . . I don't want a repeat of that headache!
   — ctyst

February 3, 2003
Re: the gum chewing - It was explained to me that if you swallow gum you cannot digest it and it WILL NOT dissolve on its own or with meat tenderizer, so you would have to have an OPEN surgery to have it removed if it got stuck. Not worth the chance, IMO. There was a girl in my support group that chewed gum and swore she'd never swallow it, but she got to laughing at something and it just slid down her throat. Nothing happened, it passed through ok, but it scared her enough to stop chewing. Of course, we have to make our own decisions, but I would check and see what your surgeon says. Some insurances also will not pay for any complications related to not obeying your surgeons rules.
   — sheltie

February 3, 2003
My surgeon's rules are no gum and no hard candy. This is because chewing or sucking stimulates gastric juices which could cause an ulcer.
   — Michele C.

February 3, 2003
I have never heard of it requiring an open procedure to remove gum...have heard it can be removed thru a scope down the throat procedure...but even still can you imagine? All for a piece of gum? <shudder>. And can you imagine the added embarrassment of telling your insurer/doctor why they have to do this? Ack! :>)
   — [Deactivated Member]