I'm 10 days out and noticed my breath stinks. I brush my teeth and it only helps a little. Does anyone else have this problem? You know it's bad when I can smell my own breath.

It's called ketosis and believe me, it's a good thing! It means you are burning fat!

Yep, ketosis. Celebrate. But, sip water often and get a tongue brush.

It basically means that your diet is short on carbs; whether that is good or bad depends upon your perspective and what kind of post-op plan you or your doc wants you to follow. Many take the resulting state of ketosis as a good sign that you are burning fat, but we will also readily burn fat on a more balanced diet that avoids the bad breath and body odors, though the rate of burn may be somewhat slower (at least that is the hypothesis - YMMV.)

Smells like someone crawled in your mouth and took a crap? Yep...that's ketosis!

Smells like someone crawled in your mouth and took a crap? Yep...that's ketosis!

Best description!

it's also a result of the wound in your stomach, and the healing process..

Thanks everyone! It makes me feel a little better to know this is common. But ewwww.

Girl, my breath is hot too! I eat mints and 10 minutes later its back!

Girl' date=' my breath is hot too! I eat mints and 10 minutes later its back![/quote']

Be careful with the sugar-free mints as they can cause gas. I've been using Listerine strips.

Be careful with the sugar-free mints as they can cause gas. I've been using Listerine strips.

That's what I did. They pack a big bang

The listerine strips help! Thanks for the tip. I also bought some Colgate wisp, those are great for after I eat.

When does our breath return to normal? Unfortunately/fortunately for me (depending on how I look at it) I can't smell mine but I know it's there. My husband has to suffer the most. I read about it prior to having surgery so at least I knew it would happen. I just hate that I can't chew gum.

Omg, thought it was just me! Mornings are the worst! I need to try those breath strips, thanks! I return to work Monday, bad breath and all...

When does our breath return to normal? Unfortunately/fortunately for me (depending on how I look at it) I can't smell mine but I know it's there. My husband has to suffer the most. I read about it prior to having surgery so at least I knew it would happen. I just hate that I can't chew gum.

Pretty much when your diet returns to normal, or at least can get in enough carbs to keep things in better balance. I never had the problem, but I kept my diet in reasonable balance throughout the loss period (as balanced as one can be with the Protein requirements and calorie restrictions that we have - my diet was roughly equal parts protein and carbs.) My wife would occasionally have the problem even years out which indicates that her DS was malabsorbing a fair amount of the carbs she was having since she is rarely short of carbs in her diet. I wouldn't expect that with the VSG unless one continues to do low carb diets in their maintenance phase.