question? can you chew gum?

can you chew gum after surgery?

Sandy, You aren't suppose to. Some do and have no problem but if you do, be very careful not to swallow it. It can block your stoma & that would be a real mess for the surgeron to try to remove. Definately don't when you are early out. The chewing action with gum can put extra air in your pouch & give you a tummy ache...don't want that. Sherri

I have always been told dont chew gum.. if you got your hole blocked it is a mess to unblock it.. Even adults swallow their gum withhout thinking... and there are alot of times I dont think... I HAVE chewed gum but it was for a few minutes to freshen breath/clear food from my teeth while out but I have also had a tissue waiting mindful what I am doing so I know I am going to spit it out soon.

In pre-op class they will tell you no,because if you swallow it the only way to get it out is surgically remove it.

I had my surgery at St. V's and I asked.... absolutely nothing by mouth until the ice chips.

I had the DS...I can have gum. What surgery are you looking at? Sancy

I was told also that the actual chewing of gum makes your body produce digestive juices which inturn trigger hunger. Not sure if it is true but it makes sense to me

Im not sure yet.but prob the rny

Chewing also stimulates digestion. We want that pouch full as long as it can be full!!!!

I'm one of the bad girls who does chew gum (I know...flame me). It keeps me from wanting a cigarette. One drawpoint to me is that gum keeps me from being thirsty...not good since we need to get our fluids in!