Strangefruit

I agree... Its esp hard if your surgeon has NEVER had an issue with weight and is naturally thin! He says he understands, but I really don't think he can...

OMG, THANK YOU... I had never heard that before... Look what a little research turned up for those of us who are having this problem: Low-Carb Diets Can Cause Bad Breath Why do I need to register or sign in for WebMD to save? We will provide you with a dropdown of all your saved articles when you are registered and signed in. © 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. Low-carb lifestyle junkies are more likely to suffer from a seldom discussed side effect of such diets -- halitosis, aka bad breath. And since more than 25 million people say they have tried the Atkins diet (not to mention other low-carb eating plans), according to the National Marketing Institute, bad breath may be an epidemic! Bad breath in the low/no-carb sect is often caused by certain chemicals that are released in the breath as the body burns fat. They are called ketones, and entering into a fat-burning state of ketosis is the hallmark of the Atkins diet. So the good news is that if your breath stinks, you're probably doing a good job of sticking to that low-carb diet. "Carbohydrates aren't readily available, so you start to use other fats and Proteins as your source of energy, and as a result you are going to get a breath problem," explains Kenneth Burrell, DDS, the senior director of the council on scientific affairs of the American Dental Association. Pass the Bread? This is not an oral hygiene problem, Burrell says, so "all the brushing, flossing, and scraping of the tongue that you can do is not possibly enough to overcome this." The bottom line is that you must "reconsider the diet and modify it so this doesn't happen," he says. Sure, "there may be some ways to mask it by using mouthwashes, but you can't overcome the fundamental problem other than by changing the diet -- or at least introducing some carbohydrates." "It's a difficult problem to solve because if one uses any sucking candy or lozenge, one has to be careful that it has no sugar in it" as sugar is a big no-no on many low-carb eating plans, says S. Lawrence Simon, DDS, a New York City periodontist. Even so-called "sugar-free" products are often loaded with carbs. "If you have a metabolic cause of bad breath, there is very little the dentist can do; you have to change your diet," he says. In fact, "the South Beach diet permits more carbs than the traditional Atkins diet, so there is bound to be less bad breath on South Beach because you are not going into a state of ketosis," he says. Masking the Problem While Dropping the Pounds "If I was dropping weight, I would buy more sugarless mints, not quit the diet," says Charles H. Perle, DMD, a general dentist in Jersey City, N.J., and a spokesman for the Academy of General Dentistry. Perle says that even though this is not an oral hygiene problem, certain things can help banish the bad breath or at least mask the odor. Drink more Water. Chew sugarless gum. Suck on sugarless mints. In particular, those that contain Xylitol also kill bacteria and can prevent cavities. Or, he says, "drink water and swish it around in your mouth after you eat. It moistens the mouth and gets the food particles that may contribute to odor out. "Basically when you are on a low-carbohydrate diet, the key to success is breaking fat into ketones to create ketosis, and as ketones get into urine and saliva, it can cause horrible breath," Perle tells WebMD. Drinking plenty of water helps dilute the concentration of ketones. In addition, chewing fresh parsley can help. If your bad breath persists, see your doctor, as it can be a sign of a serious medical condition, such as diabetes.

Sock mouth is perfect description! Ew! I wish I liked soy milk... In the meantime, I bought a new tongue scraper and more mouthwash...

I also think the protein is making my breath stink! I brush my teeth and tongue after each shake, but maybe its the protein in an otherwise empty stomach! Any one else having this problem?

Congrats! How long did it take you to reach onederland? I am looking forward to it!

Congratulations! Your doc allows gummies? Mine dies not.

I am one week post op and usually a 42DDD. I have not worn a bra since surgery... Just big T shirts or sweatshirts... I have post op this afternoon, and do not intend to wear a bra!

Best wishes for a safe procedure and speedy recovery!

I love the idea of treating myself to pedicures in lieu of food treats!

Everyone tells me how brilliant he is... And that bedside manner is not important. He is the only doc covered by my insurance plan, but honestly he is a bit of a jerk. I have my one week post op tomorrow ... and while I am looking forward to getting the drainage tube out, I am dreading the appt... And knowing I will have follow ups with this guy for at least a year... I realize how lucky I am that he IS a good doctor and that my insurance covered the surgery... But I do NOT like this guy one bit...

LOL... He is not actually Dr. House, just has a similar bedside manner...brusque, rude, condescending. Not easy to have a conversation with...

Sounds like you are doing great! I was sleeved on 10/22 and still only allowed liquid protein and broth.. Each day gets better though ... I am looking forward to being allowed soft foods like scrambled eggs...

I was sleeved on 10/22...so far all meds must be crushed or in liquid form? Is this a forever change or will I eventually be able to ingest pills again?

Good puréed suggestions! I am still on liquid post op, but I am definitely saving these! The buffalo chicken sounds really good!

I was sleeved on Monday... They told me when I left the hospital on Wed, do NOT weigh myself... All the fluids and water retention keep your weight up... I was on only ice chips for 3 days and the only weight loss I see (sadly) is on my breasts. I have post op on Tuesday... I am trying to not weigh until then.

Feeling good seems so long ago... I know this will pass, but right now I am feeling pretty miserable.. Lots of pain, difficulty getting my Protein down - wondering what the heck did I do to myself... Also, have to give myself blood thinner shots twice daily and empty a drain ... I don't even feel human anymore... :-; How long

How long before I start feeling like ME again? Any encouragement is appreciated!

I have found a squirt of sugar free Hershey's chocolate syrup improves most powders and shakes.

I am on Day 10 of the 2 week liquid protein diet...some days are harder than others...some days, I really don't mind...others, I could eat my dogs hind leg... Are you allowed popsicles? They really help me a lot...I don't like sugar free jello, but I have popsicles and chicken broth along with my shakes and that helps me feel sated. And lots and lots of water! Good luck!

This was a good post for me to read... I am a carboholic - breads, pasta and french fries... I get sleeved on MOnday and really hope that I lose my desire for carbs... I *think*. I don't know if it would be better to keep my desire and lose the ability to eat, or just lose the taste for it... I think it would be safer if I just didn't like warm bread and butter anymore...

My potassium is always low due to an RX for HBP. I take a supplement, but now on this liquid protein fast the levels have dropped so much that it could compromise my surgery date! I have been told to increase my supplements - I am waiting to see if my surgery scheduled for Monday gets the green light.

I get sleeved on Monday. Congrats and ya'll save some room on that losers bench!

So... I never thought I could do it...but I am at the one week point of my two week liquid Protein fast. It *has* been hard - particularly on weekends... but I know were I to cheat, it would be all blown. I am very much an all or nothing person. The toughest part was last night - I tried a new flavor Protein powder with almond milk. N.A.S.T.Y. And, to add to that, my husband was frying pork chops for him and my sons. So, I was a LITTLE cranky last night! Saturday night, I was watching tv and heard my stomach rumbling REALLY loud...then, I realized it was my beagle snoring, so I felt better. ) Surgery is Monday, Oct 22...this too shall pass!

You know, for those of you that are tired of sweet - have you tried Unjury Chicken Soup flavored protein? It looks and smells a little "off", but its really not bad. I mix it with about 1/4 cup of actual chicken broth to boost the flavor, and it's actually pretty good like that. Sometimes you need something that feels more like a meal than a dessert.

I am on the one week mark of my two week liquid protein fast...I am not as hungry as I was... but I still definitely get hungry. My doc allows broth, popsicles and sugar free jello, but no actual FOOD to snack on... I really miss chewing, and ice is out because my teeth are sensitive to cold. But my surgery date is Mon Oct 22, so I am hopeful that this last week will pass quickly! I drink a LOT of water anyway, so that has been no problem. Just. Missing. Food! )