My sweetie of a husband this evening cautiously broached the subject of BAD BREATH---specifically, MINE! He said that it seems since surgery, I have the worst breath ever! (and that's been four months!)

Now I know in the morning, I feel really grungy--but I use a Sonicare toothbrush and floss once a week---who knew????

In researching the matter (halitosis), I discovered that it comes from eliminating carbs from your diet and increasing Protein (i.e. the Atkins people too), which I guess releases "Ketones" into the bloodstream, causing the urine and mouth to reek-------yuck!!!

Okay, so now to my question to anyone: any of you older bandsters experience this and if so, does it ever go away?? Better yet, what can I do to alleviate this disgusting issue? (Or should I just buy stock in Listerine??) :eek:

Make 33,

A long time ago I was on this diet call Physicians Weight Loss. The main purpose of this diet was to put your body into ketosis to burn fat. I developed some funky breath... My boyfriend at the time really hurt my feelings when he told me that anytime time of day, my break not just stunk, but STANK! What a charmer, so glad I dumped him.

Anyway, a few times since being banded I could tell I was in ketosis because of the funky breath. The only relief is temporarily provided by brushing your teeth or breath saver products like mints, listerine strips, etc....

Sorry, that is just my experience.

you will not go into ketosis if you have some carbs. i dont know what you can tolerate but whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are good. (complex carbohydrates) I like oatmeal/cream of wheat. I also put milk in bran flakes and let it sit till it is nice and mushy (i am in the pureed phase)

the safety of diets that cause ketosis is very controversial. there are sticks you can buy to check your urine for ketones if you want to be sure that ketosis is the etiology of your bad breath.

Thanks so much, Molly--I'm a trainer at work and SO concerned about getting close to my trainees now...

I've got the breath strips, but think I will buy mouthwash and carry a toothbrush and toothpaste with me at all times! :eek:

PS I wanted to thank you for your support on that other thread over the weekend--you have such a gift of insight--and you really made my day! (Before you wrote, I actually thought about giving up LBT....!)

The good news is that means you're burning fat!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

Restrict--thanks! Hey, I totally forgot that oatmeal is a carb--will be on that in the morning!!!

My last/third fill gave me such great restriction that I barely have room for Protein but I will have to try to enter veggies and fruits in too.

Again, thanks...

Make 33:

First, you are very welcome regarding the post over the weekend. I tend to be a straight talker myself, but realize that all cannot embrace that mode. I have had the hard hitting advice of several on this website and never once took it as an attack, rather a "hey, what the hell are you thinking" and I do respond to that. Also, when I was freaking out before surgery, some of the same hard hitters showed compassion and understanding that kept my fear at bay.

Regarding the ketosis thing. The other poster on this thread is right. The diets that promote ketosis are considered questionable in their long term affect on the body. When I started noticing the ketosis setting in regularly I started have the Weight Control Oatmeal for Breakfast and it stopped it pretty quickly. Of course that increased my Fiber and I started farting regularly... If it ain't one end, it is the other...... :eek:

Good luck and let me know how you do...

lol molly! i hear ya!

OMG, you guys are just too funny--you sure know how to make me laugh (keeping my hand over my mouth, of course!!!) :eek:

I've got to try to mix up my food intake daily so I can get some more carbs in--besides buying more strips and mouthwash.

But Jax, you are so-o-o right---that definitely is the UPSIDE of all of this!!:eek:

Thanks so much, Jack--it makes me feel better to know that this is normal in the weight loss processes.

I was concerned initially because I'm four months out and thought maybe this would become a permanent situation, rather than temporary. I DID have a wheat Cereal softened with milk this morning and I brushed my tongue (which I have NEVER done before) while also brushing my teeth.

Your insight into the "bowel" thing is right on the money, too--and am still experiencing issues occasionally... badabing!

It's truly hard with my good restriction to eat more than Proteins, but I can always cut down to 1/2 cup Protein and 1/4 cup veggies. In my life, I've never been good coming up with the "right mix" of foods to balance out--I've always gone "all dairy" or "all beans" (thus my 'gout' the last two weeks) or all tuna........

I should've paid attention in Health class for sure!!!

As an Atkins fan........... Ketosis is an AWESOME place to be.. even if you have KETObreath, or dragonbreath! lol

Means your body has switched from burning carbs to burning fat!

for me... getting over 50 carbs a day knocks me OUT of ketosis.

Ugh, I feel your pain, I was in ketosis state like 3 days out of surgery with the nasty smelling pee, the white tongue and funky mouth taste. ICK. Hopefully going to mushies will help it. Cuz ewwwie.

*hug* hang in there girlie.

Yes, it does go away.

I went through ketosis after getting restriction.

It's gone now. But I still have bad breath...that's the weird part. I drink juices and Mt. Dew so I can't be in ketosis anymore.

If you are a few days out of surgery and white tongue you may be looking at thrush...this happens from the anibotics and sometimes needs another medication to help clear that up.

I brush my tongue regularly and did the OP say flossing ONCE a week? should be everyday!

There are tonque cleaners you can buy, that are supposedly better than a toothbrush for cleaning.

And don't forget regular teeth cleaning at the dentist!

As we get older, we are more likely to have pockets around our teeth that hold plaque and bacteria, so dental cleanings are important.

Shortgal,

You are right about hygene, but poor oral hygene doesn't produce stinky pee.

The bad breath and stinky pee that accompany weight loss are a whole different thing. That comes from the inside out. The faster you are losing fat (regardless of the method) the stinkier it gets. Atkins type diets when followed correctly tend to have higher weight loss rates. It's all about converting fat to energy.