Question:
Do you have to chew, chew, chew the rest of your life? or can you

ease up a little? Also, does your breathe HAVE to smell( ketosis) if you are burning fat? or does it just affect some people?    — Cindee A. (posted on January 17, 2002)

January 17, 2002
as for the chewing...sorry yes i do believe we have to chew chew chew for the rest of our lives but as for the bad breath try breath assure they work great!!!
   — LUVY L.

January 17, 2002
At one year post op, yes, I am still chewing away. But it really isn't an issue now. I don't think that I'm spending too much time chewing; it's become a second habit. I can remember being told to chew my food well the whole time I was growing up, so actually this is something all people should do, instead of swallowing big pieces of food. Really, it's nothing to worry about. And although I've lost 120 pounds, no one has complained to me about my bad breath. I've asked my really close friends, and believe me, they would tell me if I had a problem.
   — [Anonymous]

January 17, 2002
'Ketosis breath' typically happens in the beginning when you are dropping the weight at a rapid clip. I had it bad, and it was annoying, but I just chewed gum (some say a no-no, but I have never swallowed my gum), used the new Listerine strips (powerful, will knock your socks off, and make THEM smell good too!), and different sprays and mints. I had quite a collection. Some never go through this, not sure why. Mine lasted 3-4 weeks and now no problems, feel normal again. And as far as the chewing, it is already a habit for me at 10 weeks post-op. Its not as monotonous anymore, more natural.
   — Cheri M.