Question:
BODY ODOR

I HAVE A FRIEND THAT WORKS WITH ME AND SHE SMELL LIKE LOSE BOWL MOVEMENT EVERYDAY. THIS IS THE BEST WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT. SHE I NEW TO MY AREA AND EVERYBODY KNOWS HER. I ASK HER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SURGERY. BUT I CAN NEVER ASK HER ABOUT THE SMELL. I FEEL SORRY FOR HER. I THINK I WOULD RATHER STAY FAT THAN TO HAVE MY SELF ESTEM DRAGGED DOWN TO THE GROUND. I WORK FOR A LARGE CORPORATION. WHEN I SAY LARGE I MEAN THEIR IS OVER 200,000 EMPLOYEES. CAN SOME ONE PLEASE POST AN ANSWER THAT MAY CAN HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 30, 2000)

November 29, 2000
Did your co-worker have gastric bypass surgery? There are many reasons why she may have body odor, but the definitely isn't the norm for folks who have had the surgery. She may have a bowel-obstruction, (this can cause the breath to actually smell like feces), she may have uncontrollable gas, she may have other health problems you don't know about like a colostomy, incontinence, etc. As I said, this is NOT the norm for gastric bypass surgery. God bless the poor woman and I commend her for actually having the guts to continue working.
   — Peggy G.

November 30, 2000
In all my research for this surgery, I have never heard of body odor being a result of the surgery and 91 pounds lighter, I have not noticed that problem about myself. The only time I notice it is on occasion when I do a lot of exercising, but that is to be expected! And that's a good thing - it means I'm working hard! I concur with the other post. Body odor can be a result of numerous medical conditions. It can also be a product of poor personal hygiene and a lack of washing her clothes. Unfortunately in that large corporate environment, other people will notice this as well and may not be very sensitive to it. It may even become very cruel. I take it that she has had WLS. How heavy is she still? If she is still heavy (and this by no means negates her success - I have lost 91 pounds which is wonderful but I am still heavy), body odor can be an issue for a variety of reasons. Sometimes for obese people it is hard to reach in all the nooks and crannies. I believe women's periods make this even more of an issue. Also, some of us have great difficulty getting in and out of bathtubs or showers. Finances may be an issue. I volunteer at a women's homeless shelter regularly. The obese women have many more hygiene problems, and a lot of it is due to the fact that even if they shower daily, they can't afford to buy the large sized clothing they need to change into. They figure why bother showering just to put on filthy clothes again. It's a vicious self-esteem circle. Do you think she is hurting financially to the extent that she cannot buy clothes for herself? There's no question this is a delicate matter. You are her friend and you care for her well being. Have you been hearing whispers or cruel jokes about her at work? If so, this gives you some impetus to have a serious talk with her. Do it at your house or her's - not at work, at lunch or a public place. It will just embarrass her further. Tell her you're concerned and that you've been hearing snide comments at work. Ask her is she is aware of a medical condition that may be causing this. If not, encourage her to see a doctor. Ask her if she is able to purchase clean underclothes. If you don't want to go the direct conversation route, then try subdilty (sp?). For example, maybe a gift certificate to a local clothing store with her size for Christmas might make her feel good. Talk about your own clothing woes - give her a chance to join in. Visit her house - what is her shower/tub like? Does it look like she can get in and out easily? Good luck!!
   — Paula G.

November 30, 2000
I've noticed an odor with distals more frequently than proximals, but it usually has to do with the early stages of manutrition. The breath is unbearable, but even to stand next to such a person is unpleasant. It actually smells as if they are rotting! I know one woman that I literally cannot stand to be around because the odor is in a 6 foot radius around her. I thought it was breath, but it comes from all angles. This particular person eats a HUGE amount of fats. I mean, an entire cube of real butter at a meal, a carton of whipping cream for desert--I mean serious fats. Not just a little too much mayo! We malabsorb the fats, so we think that perhaps it is actually in her skin. She's very clean, as are her clothes. You didn't say how far post-op this woman is, nor if she is supplementing properly. She probably needs to see her doctor to be sure this odor is hygiene and not her actual health deteriorating. I feel for your position in feeling like you should tell her but don't know how. As for your own fears of smelling bad, you already know about cleanliness and the other concerns will be to stay well nourished so all of your systems function properly.
   — vitalady