Question:
Bad breath, 8 days post opt but have bad breath from the gut.

help, any suggestions besides the obvious like; mints, gum or strips,? also any sugesstions on food I can upgrade to everyone is enjoying wonderful holiday meals, feeling a little left out. Thanks for all the support and info.    — psmeshell (posted on December 28, 2007)

December 28, 2007
I would check with your doctor before you "upgrade" anything. Eight days out you could really do some damage and cause yourself a lot of pain. Did you have RNY or Lapband? What are you missing? Sweets? or Meals? Are you on full liquids right now? I have some ideas but I don't want to mess you up by sharing ideas if it's stuff you shouldn't have so email me back with what you're allowed to have and I'll tell you what I did. It gets better from where you are now. ~Shirley
   — Shirley D.

December 28, 2007
I had the same problem,but it goes away, For now the only thing that you can do is sugar free mints, listerine strips, breath drops or spray and sugar freee popsicles helped me! NO GUM!!!! If you swallow that it could be DANGEROUS! The bad taste and breath is from the extra protein. Good Luck
   — nicole30

December 28, 2007
Most surgeons have a protocol for when you can have certain foods. My surgeon discourages gum chewing, as he has had cases where people have swallowed their gum, causing a problem. You want to have a diet high in protein, and finding protein snacks may be difficult. I use the high protein "designer flavor" tortillas--9 inch tortilla has 5-6 grams of protein--flavors like basil and roasted tomato, garden vegetable, wheat, honey wheat, etc. Another one I like is the dried peas-1/4 cup has 6 grams of protein, they satisfy the crunch craving, and they cost only $1.35 per pound, which is a good quantity of snacks for a small price.
   — Dave Chambers

December 28, 2007
The bad breath is from your body burning fat for energy. It is called Ketosis. There is not much you can do for it except the mints and toothbrush. It will go away but just think as long as you have bad breath you are loosing more fat. HaHa. Good luck with your recovery.
   — Paula K.

December 29, 2007
Make sure you are getting in your water. Another post-op suggested (to me) a product called SmartMouth. It's available at WalMart by the mouthwashes.
   — gonnadoit

December 29, 2007
I would contact your doc before upgrading your food. You want to be very careful not to do harm to yourself. Regarding the issue with your breath, I use a product from QVC called TriOral. I use it in the morning and before bedtime. Each use keeps your breath fresh for around 12 hours. If you have a member number with QVE, the item number is A9992 (it is also available on auto-delivery). Good luck and have a blessed new year.
   — KEB