Question:
Some people say those who have the surgery always smell bad

Is this true? I have seen some talk of gas problems, but that does not seem to be what others are referring to? If anyone can explain I would appreciate. thanks    — deespol (posted on July 14, 2002)

July 14, 2002
I am 6 months post-op and my husband just informed me that since surgery I tend to have bad breath. I also have occasional bad gas (when I eat something that does not agree with me). I think the breath thing might be two fold. 1--vitamins can give you bad breath, I had the same problem when I was taking pre-natal vitamins. 2--when you are in ketosis (when our body is motabolising fat at a rapid pace)a person can have bad breath. Of course now that I am aware of the problem I have taken stepsto correct it. I use breath mints and sugar free grum and brush my teeth like a crazy woman. All in all it is a small price to pay for losing 137 lbs. in just 6 months.
   — Angela A.

July 14, 2002
Hi...ketosis can cause bad breath...and if you eat something that doesn't agree with you, well, to put it nicely, you can become a 4 yr old and 7 yr old's hero with your "farting abilities" LOL Of course we had that woman on Oprah a while back who said that she "heard" that people who had wls "smelled bad". Man, I'd like to know who she was talking to, because I think I smell much better now that I don't sweat all the time and I can get all body parts very clean and there aren't as many places for fat to hide the sweat and cause body odor. So, I think I smell better and feel better. And if I feel "gassy", I excuse myself and "let it rip" when I am alone. Good luck and Have a sparkling week!! ~CAE~
   — Mustang

July 14, 2002
I am always getting compliments at work on how good I smell! lol! I do understand that with ketosis there can be bad breath, but is easily resolved by drinking enough water and a sugar free breath mint. By the way, the compliments are always when I wear my favorite perfume, HAPPY, by Clinque. Don't worry the good effect of WLS far outweigh the bad. This problem is over exaggerated because people who haven't had WLS surgery can smell bad too. It is based on our daily hygiene in all cases!
   — Marilyn C.

July 14, 2002
I understand what you are talking about, and I hear it is different from bad breath due to ketosis or gas. I have only heard it mentioned from BPD/DS patients- that their whole body gives off a foul odor. I don't know what causes it, but I have not heard of it occuring from any other patients besides the BPD/DS.
   — Jennifer Y.

July 15, 2002
I am two months post op rny. I have not had any problems with gas or bad breath.
   — Linda A.

July 15, 2002
Just for the record, I'm a bpd/ds patient and I can assure you my body doesn't exude any kind of "foul odour" LOL (very weird concept that)... and I do get gas occasionally, but I did before too and it can be avoided by low fat eating and avoiding beanz..duh
   — Diane B.

July 15, 2002
Just for the record, I'm a bpd/ds patient and I can assure you my body doesn't exude any kind of "foul odour" LOL (very weird concept that)... and I do get gas occasionally, but I did before too and it can be avoided by low fat eating and avoiding beanz..duh
   — Diane B.