Question:
Teeth and Gas issues...Not together :)

I am almost 5 years post op. I do not live in a town or around people where many others have had WLS, so I have come here for help on two issues that worry me about my WLS. I have noticed that my teeth have become HORRIBLE; I never had problems before WLS, but now they are breaking off one at a time. My second question is about gas. Recently I have noticed that I'm always gassy and bloated. Any useful tips on how to fix this? This is more embarrassing than being overweight was!    — Karla V. (posted on January 12, 2008)

January 11, 2008
Are you taking calcium citrate supplements? If not, that could be a good reason for the teeth. If your'e taking the supplements, you may want to get a current blood test to see if you are defficient in any nutrients that could cause tooth loss. Gas is a common problem among bariatric patients. I attend many support group meetings, and this is commonly discussed. You could try Gas-X to see if that helps, but I heard that Beano has a synthetic surgar in it that gives many people diarrhea.
   — Dave Chambers

January 12, 2008
I am also 5 yrs post op and have had stomaphyx and revision to length of small intestine on 09/26/07. I have found that the only time I have a problem with gas is if I have decided to add anything with sugar or white flour to my food plan. I have tested this many times for myself and can testify to it (lol). Hope my research can help you. I've become a believer that sugar and white flour have no place in my food plan, not to mention that along with the gas, major cravings and obsession follow shortly after also.
   — ritahastings

January 12, 2008
5 yrs with no or wrong calcium? Shoulda been AT LEAST 2000 mg of calcium citrate since day 1. Prolly vit D is low. We launch our proximals on 10,000 IU of dry form D3, but by now, I'm guessing you'd need 50,000 IU/day to get backout of the hole. Anyone testing calcium, D, 0,25 hydroxy and PTH, intact? THen, gas would be white carbs prolly? Bread, buns, flour tortillas? Like that. You have nothing to lose by skipping 2-3 days, right? And finally, long term answers, guesses and maybe someone has solved your problem? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG This has been around since 1999, so a lot of combined experience there.
   — vitalady

January 12, 2008
Are you taking any calcium suppliments? Have you ever tried either gas ex? Beano is another product that helps cut down on gas. I also have the same problem. There is also an enzemin you can take that is lacking in your stomach that causes the excess gas= and beano is what might help. gabluecrab [email protected]
   — gabluecrab

January 13, 2008
Having your teeth break off is definitely a sign of a problem. You need to speak to a dentist and see if s/he has any idea of what might be causing the problem. Diet, medication, sugar intake, childhood & adult fluoride exposure, brushing/flossing habits, and genetics are all things that affect the strength of our teeth. If you aren't flossing at least once a day and brushing at least twice a day, start! Make sure you are using a toothpaste with fluoride and an after-brushing fluoride containing rinse like ACT. If you are using listerine or a mouthwash containing alcohol (pretty much anything that burns), you should stop... they are horrible for your mouth. If you feel like you need mouthwash, try Biotene or something "natural" like Tom's of Maine. If you have dry mouth, make sure you drink a lot and suck on sugar free candy or chew sugar free gum... anything with xylitol is great. The most important thing is to get to a dentist, find the cause, and then work with the dentist or your doctor to make whatever changes are needed to protect your remaining teeth. As far as the gas and bloating, are you eating anything new? Keeping a food/symptom diary for a week might be helpful to see if it is related to any specific food. Any problems with dairy? You might want to try simethicone (sold under a variety of names but GasX is probably the most familiar) or charcoal caps. I've never tried the charcoal but its supposed to reduce gas and I guess absorb some of the odor. You might want to do a web search on Irritable Bowel Syndrome and see if those symptoms fit you. If you can't figure out the gas/bloating and it continues, you should probably make an appointment to see your pcp just to check things out. Hope this is helpful. I hope it doesn't come across as being bossy... I'm not a very good writer! Best wishes.
   — mrsidknee

January 19, 2008
It sounds like you are definitely calcium deficient. Get blood drawn and take more calcium supplements. For the gas, you might want to try GAs-X, I think someone said that. If you have smelly BMs, try an antibiotic like Flagyl, that should work or probiotics, ask at store. Good luck.
   — KRWaters

January 21, 2008
Part of my new years resolution was to try a different avenue of attack for my horrible dental issues that have developed beginning about at 2.5 years post op. First I got a new dentist because dental decay was occurring at such a rapid rate that between 2005 to 2007 the dentist's "1 filling per appt" was like try to take a step forward and take 3 steps back. First "Dry mouth" that occurrs from not drinking enough water and not drinking water with meals leads to bacteria growth (plaque), and that I was actually still having a problem with acid reflux although I did not realize that since loosing weight until a ph quick strip was done of my saliva. Since using BIOTENE, and Prilosec a huge reduction in the calcium breakdown. I asked the surgeon about the teeth issue and he said some post op have a problem but keeping up with cleanings and get dental work done as soon as needed is the best plan. Good luck with your dental battles.
   — rgreathouse