GG123 5 Posted April 30, 2016 After surgery am I allowed to have chewing gum or sugar free mints? Is it ok to use mouthwash and brush your teeth straight after? Thank you Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KindaFamiliar 3,867 Posted April 30, 2016 I chewed after my op... But stopped when I thought about little bits of gum breaking off and taking up room in my stomach... I switched to sugar free mints... I still use them... I say 'use' because I don't eat them for the pleasure... I use them as a tool to help me digest my Proteins after I eat... I've had trouble with that since the op.. Red meat is now a rarity on my menu due to my inability to digest it... I eat fish for most lunches/dinners and have chicken on the others... After each meal, I will have three or four mints, just to keep the digestive juices flowing.. I have mints everywhere I could possibly go... I have some here on my couch-side table... By my bed... In my car... At my desk.. Even in my gym bag... Wherever I have a water bottle, I have a tin of mints... So I really, REALLY hope they're not a bad thing... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inner Surfer Girl 12,015 Posted April 30, 2016 I haven't been a gum chewer in decades. I do have an occasional mint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mistie 201 Posted May 1, 2016 No gum, as per my surgeon. Causes you to swallow excess air. Mints and mouthwash should be fine. My own opinion is just be careful with mints and don't let them take up real estate needed for nutrition. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LipstickLady 25,682 Posted May 1, 2016 I'm not a gum chewer, but when I do chew gum, I don't swallow air. My surgeon has no issue with it as long as I don't swallow the gum. SF mints? Fair game! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell ???? 224 Posted May 1, 2016 I've chewed gum just for 5 minutes About one month out and it gave me the worst gas I was burping for hours it was awful never again. Sent from my iPhone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dub 9,922 Posted May 1, 2016 Never been a big gum chewer. I did use it wen I was quitting smoking many years ago.....it helped then. Now.....I have mints or even the mint flavored chewable Vitamins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell ???? 224 Posted May 4, 2016 I had mints today Dub and they were good for me in the past they've made me feel sick but since my sleeve I like them again. Sent from my iPhone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KATEJ71 36 Posted June 2, 2016 I'm chewing gum AND typing this at the same time! I don't have gum everyday, just occasionally after lunch at work and have had zero problems...although my tummy always seems to be complaining about one thing or another...I'm hungry, I'm full...blah, blah, blah. I chew Trident Perfect Peppermint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stacyrg2 350 Posted June 2, 2016 I chew gum after every single meal. For me, it accomplishes two objectives: (1) it helps with dry mouth since I religiously follow the "no drinking for at least 30 minutes after a meal" rule; and (2) it's a signal to my brain to stop eating. I've never had a problem "swallowing" air (frankly I don't even know what that means) and I've never had a problem with swallowing gum. I've walked into my surgeon's office chewing gum (and holding a drink from Starbucks with . . . gasp . . . a straw) and he didn't blink an eye. Mints are also a daily occurrence for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites