Question:
i have heard that you develop really bad odor post op
i have heard a lot of people talk about issues with body odor post op that doesnt go away. anybody got info on this? — leigh M. (posted on December 12, 2003)
December 12, 2003
That has to be a myth! I'm 7 months post op and have never had an odor. I
keep myself meticulously clean, always have, and I've never known any of my
post op friends to have an odor.
— Happy I.
December 12, 2003
Unless you're talking about nasty gas, I don't know of any "body"
odors. However, if you eat greasy/fatty foods, the smelly gas is enough to
chase the cat from the room ;).
Not everybody has this problem, but some do.
— Carolyn M.
December 12, 2003
Maybe it is ketosis? Can't speak for all but I smell better now.
— mrsmyranow
December 12, 2003
I think I can guess where you got that info. Someone as distal as I am
should not be your dinner companion if raw cabbage or chili are on the
menu, if you catch my drift. And during the rapid wt loss stage, you might
have foul breath due to ketosis. I have smelled one person with a foul body
odor, which was bizarre as she was the cleanest individual I've ever met.
BUT she drank whipping cream and ate butter straight. Now, that's just
weird. But even among us very distals, the only odor is the, um,
aforementioned "air". And ketosis ends, so you get your normal
breath back one day. Hopefully, lots more of it cuz you'll be so much
healthier.
— vitalady
December 12, 2003
While I have not noticed any body odors, I do notice that I wake up with a
really naststy tasting mouth, and it's due to the ketosis, and it seems no
amount of brushing and rinsing and washing seems to help. But then again I
look at it as a sign that my body is really chugging along getting rid of
the fat. So I brush 3 times a day, use a lot of mouthwash and carry sugar
free breath mints, but boy, first thing in the morning....ugghhh!
— track
December 12, 2003
Ok this passed summer I had 'odor' but it was because I was playing and
working hard and would sweat. But hey a shower is an amazing thing :>)
- Now at 16 months out I have odor but not that most would notice unless
they are with me when I'm naked right before I bathe (which I do with a
washcloth 3 or 4 times day plus shower once a day). This odor is caused by
fungus under folds of skin. Again, it's not really noticable to anyone -
so I've been told because I've actually asked those close to me (close
emotionally, not proximately lol). But the odor is definitely there under
certain circumstances - no matter how clean I get, etc. Very frustrating
and can't wait to get my panni removed!
— [Deactivated Member]
December 12, 2003
This is becoming one of those "urban myths" associated with this
surgery. The only odor you will notice is from gas. For the first 6
months my family would have preferred that I live in the garage I think!
Even that gets better though, depending on the individual and what your
body will tolerate you eating. Please don't let odor issues stop you if
you want and need this surgery! Good luck! 252/125
— sherry H.
December 12, 2003
Ketosis will cause bad breathe immediately post op, the same thing occurs
during atrkins diets. Its temporary and just a nuisance.
— bob-haller
December 12, 2003
I am happy to report that this didnt happen to me.
— Debi Rouilliard
December 12, 2003
I don't know about anyone else, BUT I DON'T STINK!!!!!! I know bad breath
can become an issue and stinky poos...but no odor pours off my body except
my soap and perfume. :-).
— Renee B.
December 13, 2003
Gas as mentioned previously is an issue. However, one thing I did notice
was that the first few months post op my sense of smmell was greatly
exaggetated. I smelled things no one else did. I think if I had one drop
of sweat between my toes I smelled it. really strange. I don't think I
smell bad, and I sweat way less now even in the horttest part of the
summer. (It is kind of hard to sweat when you are freezing cold.) I love
showers and often take them twice a day so I don't get a chance to stink.
— **willow**
December 13, 2003
LOL Yep, as Michelle Curran said, I'll bet I know exactly whose website
that myth came from.
— Leslie F.
December 13, 2003
I am approaching 16 months post op. I am extremely pleased to say that I
have lost over 100 pounds. My boss frequently comments on "how great
I smell" when I return from the gym after showing & applying my
favorite perfume.
It really saddens me to hear these "myths," like people that have
the surgery will smell bad, or that women post ops won't be able to have
children. Please take the words of the 1000's of post ops on this web site
-- you won't develop body odor because of the surgery. If you did, the
message board would be full of discussion about how to get rid of it.
Good luck to you, Valerie 8/26/02 - 275/167/??
— Valerie B.
December 13, 2003
I TOLD MY DR. SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT AFTER YOU HAVE THE SURGERY YOU WILL
SMELL BAD. HE JUST LAUGHED AND ASKED WHAT WAS THAT PERSON SMOKING!
— crystal2kids
December 13, 2003
Hi Leigh- I heard that Oprah made some comment that people who have had WLS
smell bad. If that's true (that she made the comment), maybe that's why
the rumor seems so widespread. Pity :o( Good Luck, Mea
— Mea A.
December 13, 2003
A guest on the Oprah show said she didn't want surgery because you smelled
bad afterwards. So now it has become an Urban Myth.
— faybay
December 14, 2003
Thought I might chime in on your question.
I have noticed that since my surgery 6 weeks ago, that my sweat has a
stronger odor (not necessarily more pungent).
I have no idea as to what causes it, but bathing removes it.
— Jim S.
December 15, 2003
I am 4 1/2 weeks post-op and I have not noticed any odor-in fact my Dh
keeps telling me how sweet I smell! Not to mention I am smiling more these
days...:)
— doit 2.
December 19, 2003
Hi there! What I found is not that I smell better or worse but that I can
smell more. My nose is more sensitive than it was before. I am 3 months
out and it is getting better but still my nose is pretty sharp. I love the
clean smell of bleach but couldn't be in the same house with it until just
recently. I think it was the anesthesiology...that seems to be the only
thing it could be for me...
— S. Carroll
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