No More Gum Or Popcorn?

[NJsharon 119]

So are we allowed to eat gum? What happens if we were to accidentally swallow it?

What about popcorn at the movies? Is that something we can ever eat again? If not then why not?

I am only 17 days out right now & not even on mushies yet, so have a while. But was just curious!

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

I think both these depend on your doctor. I've heard various stories on here and from people who have had the surgery done locally. My surgeon said no gum because of fear of swallowing it and also because when we chew, our stomach acids start going & there's nothing in the stomach to digest if we're chewing gum. The psychologist I saw before surgery who had the bypass done said popcorn is a slider food for her, but my doctor didn't actually have any guidelines for it.

[SleeveDreamer 383]

Yes you can eat popcorn again, but not for awhile, because it may swell and you need to make sure you are healed first. They say no gum, and I don't even miss it. Popcorn was my downfall. I had to have it everyday before my surgery. I haven't had any since (I am 5 1/2 monhs out) and I have a huge box in my pantry. Don't even want any yet. You will find your taste buds will change and you may not even like something you loved before. I can eat anything I want now, but I make wise choices for once!

[NJsharon 119]

Yeah I am not too worried about the gum as I never really was a gum chewer pre-op. I guess I just wondered why we weren't met to have it.

But popcorn I do like on occasion, especially if I go to the movies... mmmm popcorn with butter! Probably only once a month, once every 2 months I would have popcorn though.

I guess I will ask my Dr about popcorn then, thanks.

[massindex 346]

I have a couple 100 calorie Smart-Pop bags a week now that I'm on maintenance. Most people find that they can eat most of the things they had pre-surgery once they reach their weight loss goal. This sleeve is just a tool and it helps us break bad habits. I eat entirely different now and I forced myself to stop those bad habits. I've eliminated breads, rice and most pastas (still do whole wheat once a month or so) and I've just learned to not miss it. Instead, I look at certain items as rewards for good behavior, like after a hard workout, instead of trying to help me feel better when I'm down. I don't mourn food loss but I Celebrate my new thin, healthy self instead. It's changed my thinking 180 degrees.

[txdee 23]

I just met with NUT Friday, she said gum after 4 weeks, but as we all know, every dr. is different (even though it makes very little sense)!

[Mab 44]

I love Smart Pop! Hope I'll be able to enjoy it again one day.

[Almostthere34 128]

I am glad about being able to eat popcornThis is my low fat snack. I can eat half a bag and feel satisfied with my unsleeved tummy. I am not too heartbroken about gum. I saw a woman on a Youtube maintenance video eating chex mix and drinking with a straw. I think we can eat whatever we like within reason once you hit goal, just less of it. I can't wait 18 days and counting.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Once all my food restrictions were lifted, i could have popcorn. It has given me no problems. I love the 100 calorie snack packs of kettle corn. It isn't very nutritious, so you do need to not let it replace healthy food - but i see no reason it can't be the occasional treat.

[Mr_Worm 129]

I never did stop chewing gum. The real reason doctors tell you to be aware of it, is actually for GAS reasons (same with drinking straws). Sometimes people inhale higher amounts of air while chewing. As for popcorn, I never was told any restriction on it. Just have it at the appropriate phase of the post op diet.

[staceylucas 1]

So are we allowed to eat gum? What happens if we were to accidentally swallow it?

What about popcorn at the movies? Is that something we can ever eat again? If not then why not?

I am only 17 days out right now & not even on mushies yet, so have a while. But was just curious!

I also read about the gum. Right now, since we're about the same post-op... I am almost 4 weeks.... I read that if you swallowed gum, they would have to use endoscopy to remove it! That scared me enough! I did chew some gum the other day but I made sure I didn't swallow it! I just needed something with a burst to get through the day! I haven't chewed anymore though...

[BioEngineeringChick 27]

Wow! I am only 4 weeks out and I've NEVER heard no gum or popcorn!! I'm on phase 3 and I chew a pack of gum a week with no gas problems. My tummy only talks to me when I take my Calcium chews and its SO embarassing at work.

I started popcorn (100 cal packs) back this week. I'm a scientist and biomedical engineer so I understand that affect of stomach acids on different food groups so although popcorn gives off gas it does not expand in the stomach - it shrinks so I can feel like I'm eating more to reach that 3 oz. limit in my pouch. I make sure I eat it SUPER SLOW so that I feel when I'm full. I chew a ridiculous amount of time and even bite off the hard parts so that I don't get something rough in my stomach until its fully healed. My doctor pushed my 1 month followup back to 2 months post op which was a bummer, but so far I feel great. My lifestyle, exercising and eating habits have completely changed.

My favorite foods are still my favorite foods: Dill Pickles, Tomatoes, Popcorn, and pizza (skim milk cheese and turkey pepperoni without crust). I just eat a lot less of them.

[hadouni 301]

I've been eating popcorn since about 6 months post-op with no problems that I'm aware of. I'm not a gum chewer so it's not something I paid attention to.

[TheCurvyJones 721]

I'll have to ask my doc about it. I have a bad breath phobia, I always have gum in I would give up popcorn before I give up gum!

[Susan 2.0 278]

I'll have to ask my doc about it. I have a bad breath phobia' date=' I always have gum in I would give up popcorn before I give up gum![/quote']

I've heard gum makes us swallow air, like drinking from a straw. If you're concerned about bad breath, try Listerine strips.