Question:
Body Odor?
I am pre-op and dealing with a co-worker who is driving me insane about how I should NOT have this surgery. I am planning on having the gastric bypass. This AM she called and said someone else she works with read that people who have this surgery can have a really bad body odor that nothing can be done about, yada yada yada.... can anyone tell me if they've experienced this or heard of this. Thanks! — Clumsybarbie (posted on May 13, 2009)
May 13, 2009
The first year many people have bad breath due to "ketosis" which
to break it down into super simple terms is when the body is burning muscle
as well as fat...That produces this awful taste/smell in your
mouth...Sipping lots of water helps but it won't stop til the weight loss
slows down. (It was pretty gross but short lived...Also some people will
produce some pretty pungent gas that seeps out at inappropriate times and
that can be quite embarrassing in an office situation....I know personally,
I could clear the room and have the TV and remote control all to myself
the first few months while my RNY was healing and adjusting to poorly
digested food...It does adjust over time...We all fart....LOL I actually do
less thin than I did obese! But when it's bad it's nasty! I find that it
is only certain foods that produce the wretched gas...and mostly it is
sugar and simple carbs for me...Dairy, cabbage-type foods, mushrooms and
red meat also affect me so I take probiotics and eat a lot of yogurt and
avoid sugar and simple carbs to keep the smells away...Otherwise, the
ignorant pass around such rumors like a wild fire...I rarely see any
questions about body odor at all and we do talk about all kinds of stuff!
That's NOT a common thing as far as I know, besides ketosis and gas...BTW
having RNY surgery was the best thing I ever did to ultimately become
healthier and secondly become the thinner,sexier, confident woman I always
knew was inside...5 Years and I could go tomorrow and feel blessed for the
last 5 years of pure quality of life! My only complaint...vitamins...I am
sick of taking vitamins...I think if that is my only complaint, I'll take
it!
— .Anita R.
May 13, 2009
I noticed that my skin has an "odor" about 3 months into my
journey, it was not a disgusting smell, just that I smelled different. It
was explained to me it is from all the protein we take in and your body now
processing differently. I don't have that odor now. It has been a little
over a year since my surgery. It still would not make me say that I would
not have the surgery if I knew about a possible smell, that eventually goes
away. Everyone wants to pull out the "everything thats wrong"
card instead of telling you all the benefits. What I did was a pros and
cons list. The pros far out way the cons. This is a very personal
decision..you do what YOU have to do for YOU. My best to you. Peace.
— JaimeK
May 13, 2009
Did ever think that you're co-worker is envious that you're doing something
positive? If she has a weight problem, she's afraid that she'll be the
fastest person in the office.
Also, she can't control and manipulate you anymore.
— Kathleen W.
May 14, 2009
Your best bet is to simply tell this coworker that you appreciate her
concern but you are having the surgery. If she continues to be so negative
simply change the subject - talk about the weather. You don't need someone
sabotaging your work ahead. Watch out. Good luck on your journey. By the
way, I never had any odor problems and neither did 3 coworkers of mine who
had RNY.
— Muggs
May 14, 2009
I finally told anyone who tried to be negative about my surgery pre-op that
I didn't want to hear what they had to say. There were so many people out
there who couldn't wait to tell me about some horror story they heard, but
when I sorted through the info and got down to the actual problems other
people had they were mostly caused by patients who chose to act against
doctors orders.
So many people who have never even spoken to a bariatric surgeon think they
are an authority on Bypass surgery. Unfortunately most comments from people
like this stem from ignorance. Once you've made your decision and are happy
with it, follow your doctors orders to the letter and don't worry about
your co-worker. Definitely sounds like this person has a motive other than
being concerned with your well-being. Good luck!
— jeannefitz
May 14, 2009
This is why I only told a few people about the surgery and still Nine
months post op don't bring it up. People don't know and they are so
judging. This was the best thing I ever did for myself.
— trible
May 14, 2009
Yes, I had a weird odor the first year-ish. It's gone now and I am 3.5
years out. It's bound to happen, and it's temporary. If this was the worst
thing to happen.......count your blessings!!
— dadebrito
May 14, 2009
Yes, I had a weird odor the first year-ish. It's gone now and I am 3.5
years out. It's bound to happen, and it's temporary. If this was the worst
thing to happen.......count your blessings!!
— dadebrito
May 14, 2009
This will unfortunately not help you but it can definately help others who
read it if it isn't too late- DON'T GO TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT YOUR SURGERY
until a short time before when you absolutely have to. I steered clear of
my parents and in laws and let them know the day before! At work I told my
boss I was having surgery - but never told him WHICH surgery. I only spoke
to my husband and children and closest friends about it so all the nosey
jealous and ignorant people would LEAVE ME ALONE with all their
negativity!!!
— zimra
May 16, 2009
Hi Teri. I am over a year out (LAP RNY 2-21-08 started at 374 now at 220)
and never even heard of the surgery causing B.O. Fortunately, other than
the gas (yes, Anita is absolutely correct about being able to clear a room
without saying a word, lol), I never had any odor issues. I am a very up
front person and in addition to my family, my co-workers all knew about my
surgery and were very supportive. The same way they would tell me if I had
something on my face or if my nose needed to be wiped, they would've told
me about any odors. If anything, having the surgery has made it easier for
me to bathe and shower. Prior to surgery it was very painful everyday for
me to stand in the shower due to the arthritis in my knees and having to
hold up that much weight. Forget about geting a bath. I couldn't get in
and out of a sitting position in the tub. Don't let your co-worker's
negative comments affect what you decide. I can only say that this surgery
has greatly improved my quality of life and I thank God everyday that I was
able to do it. My daughter's Junior Prom was Thursday and I was able to
help her get dressed, go with her to have her make-up done, go shopping
with her for shoes and jewelry (her dress was given to her) and greet the
family and friends that were there to see her off. She and her friends
wanted to go to Dorney Park yesterday to celebrate and I was actually able
to go and WALK around the park and enjoy myself. I emphasize the word walk
because for the past 5 or more years, whenever we've gone to an amusement
park, and we've been to many (Disney, Universal, Dorney, Six Flaggs, Bush
Gardens, King's Dominion, etc...), I've always had to rent an electric
scooter to get around and I didn't fit on most of the rides. This time, I
was able to walk the park twice and also able to get on the rides that I
wanted to ride! Mind you, my arthritis isn't gone and I did have to sit
down from time to time but I'm able to function so much better than I used
to. I was well on my way to totally loosing my mobility and needing that
electric cart for everyday use. Sorry to make this so long but I get a bit
passionate about how this surgery has greatly improved my quality of life.
Don't get me wrong, it still takes quite a bit of work on my part and it
will on yours as well. Only you can decide if you're up to the challenge
and ready to do this. It's your health and your life. Good luck to you!
Marion
— dsmuffin
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