Question:
Is there a foul odor associated with the gastric bypass?

I have been doing a lot of reading of posts here, and the one thing that I don't remember reading anything of is: I have heard that people who have had the Gastric Bypass operation throw off a horrible odor about them, and that if you go to the bathroom, the whole building you are in can smell you. Is this true?    — Edie L. (posted on May 24, 1999)

May 24, 1999
If you are a DISTAL gastric bypass, there's a very good chance of emitting a very foul odor. However, with time, you learn which foods to avoid to make you gassy or not. But, the trips to the bathroom will always be pretty memorable. There are some things that can cut the problems down a bit, but nothing clears it completely. I've met only one who actually emits an odor as if through the skin. She lives on lots 'n lots of pure butter. Otherwise, the rest of us are only deadly if gassy!
   — vitalady

May 24, 1999
Fat stinks, in more ways than one. When you bypass the duodenum your body is not absorbing or processing the majority of fat that you take in. When your body processes your food it does not process that fat and that is what is causing the odor. Zinc tablets can help.
   — Richard T.

May 24, 1999
From my experience ... NO! ... I'm 4.5 years post-op and I've never experienced that! Some foods that may not have previously given you "gas" may now post-op, but, there is Bean-O, and Gas-X and other meds over the counter that can relieve that problem instantly!
   — Sherrie G.

May 24, 1999
I've had gastric bypass and do not find this to be true.
   — Peggy W.

May 24, 1999
I have found no odor about myself, I had the surgery done 8 weeks ago and feeling great and feeling better about myself. If anything, my body is healthier. Hope all goes well with ya. take care
   — Sandra S.

May 25, 1999
It is my understanding that the more of the intestine is bypassed the more of an odor you have as there is less digestion taking place. I had a proximal RYN with very little bypassed. My digestive track my food digests normaly.
   — Pat A.

May 25, 1999
I have had a lot of compliments about how wonderful I look, no one has ever mentioned how bad I smell. Where did you get this little tidbit of information?
   — dboat

June 1, 1999
I am 2 weeks post-op and I haven't noticed a foul odor, the only thing that I've noticed is that I have bad breath more often.
   — Kristen C.

June 2, 1999
I had the operation in 1987 and I can tell you this is an issue you will have to deal with. There are actually two odor issues. The first one is stinky bowel movements. I have sat on the toilet in a restaurant and have people run out yelling "TOXIC WASTE" or even worse. You have to live with this. The only solution is to stop eating. The second issue results from eating fat. Too much fat results in an oily leakage into your underwear accompanied by a foul from every pore in your body (this may be an exaggeration because it may only be the result of the leakage). This is controllable by restricting your intake of fat. I have never regretted having the operation.
   — Ira S.

August 26, 1999
Oh My God!!!...I thought i was the only one in the world who had the sewer back-up blues!!!...My BM's smell like a sistern....i have to find the most remote bathroom in my building at work because they really thought the sewer backed up and they had to call in the maintenance crew....I was reading some of the answers to your question and someone mentioned zinc supplements....that sounds like a good idea...so does the beano....i think i'll give them a try...
   — MaryLou F.

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