So Why can't I chew gum?

I am in my 2nd week post Op and was never told why I can't chew gum?

 Sorry can't help - I was never told you can't chew gum.  I am interested in the responses you get.  

same thing as the straws--you get air with the chewing gum

Because swallowing gum could land you back on the operating table - it's big enough to block your sleeve and your new tummy is very unlikely to dissolve it.

Even if you never, ever, ever swallow your gum, do you want to take the risk of an accidental swallow? Think of it as being like running with a knife in your hand...as long as you don't trip, no problem, but who predicts a trip and if you do...very, very bad news.

I was told to avoid gum in the beginning because we tend to swallow a lot of air, and the last thing you need after surgery is more gas/air trapped in your system.  You also need to focus on fluids and protein. 

After a short while, I was allowed gum and chewed gum religiously, especially after my sleeve relaxed and more of my mindless eating wanted to set in again.  Now I don't feel the need for gum as much and rarely chew it.

And sugar free gum can cause you to have gas. Which is no bueno in my book.

I never did get the "chewing gum" causing air. If that's the case then none of us need to speak post-op either.

The reason is because you could swallow it. At least this is what I was told, and it makes the most logical sense to me. We've got ugly, mangled, stapled off tummies, we don't need to risk swallowing gum.

After the healing period, there was no restriction on chewing gum at all. And, if you do swallow it, you'll poop it out or I guess it could get tossed into the appendix, isn't that what we told when we were kids.

As for straws, early out I couldn't drink through a straw because I would take too big of a sip, but a few weeks out, I found it way easier to hit my fluid intake goal with a straw and was given a straw in the hospital.

Let me tell ya something, I was happy and more then happy to have my SF gum in my pocket for after the leak test, even the Dr asked for a piece haha. I suggest everyone takes SF gum with them for after the leak test, actually hold it in your hand for when you are done of the drink and xray lol.

I am an avid gum chewer... I gave up smoking...not chewing gum is where i draw the line... I havent swallowed gum since I was two... If I can handle it then I probably will still chew gum...

When you chew gum you salivate. When you salivate your brain sends a signal to your stomach that food is on the way. In preparation for food, your stomach produces gastrointestinal juices. Since there is no food actually on the way it could leave you feeling hungry...

I've also read that the excess saliva and stomach acids produced while chewing gum can irritate the stomach lining and or cause ulcers. In our situation that would be really bad!