Change in Taste Anyone?

[BanillaVean]

My surgeon explained to me that taste changes over the course of every 7 years. Makes sense as my taste has changed over the years but I just figured it was because I was trying more things, the older I get. She said that the surgery would cause my taste to go through this 7 year process in a matter of an hour or so. Has anyone else been told this?

I was cleared to eat most food this past Monday and nothing really tastes very good, except Ritz crackers and I'm not supposed to have too many of those due to needing protein. Beef does not taste good to me at all and I loved it before. Chicken is just so-so. I tolerated fish the best and I was never a huge fan before. I did eat tomato soup during the first couple weeks and enjoyed the taste which is something else I never ate before because I did not care for it.

My husband ordered pizza tonight from my favorite place and I had a sliver. Nope - didn't taste the same. Not much flavor.

I was hoping that I would still enjoy food, just much less of it. Anyone else experience this and does it go away?

[Ann2]

Yes, everything changes over time. What you're experiencing now, one month post-op, has little resemblance to what you'll feel six months or a year or three years from now or five or ten years out.

Food tastes will come back. Your capacity will increase. Your old food demons will reappear and need to be battled and conquered, perhaps with the support of a therapist. You will be able to drink liquids like you once did. And much, much more.

But for now you just need to be doing what you're doing now ... and very well, it sounds like.

And no, I've never heard from anyone that our tastes change every 7 years. Never noticed that in all my 71 years of living. But, as always, others' mileage may vary.

[Donald G]

I can say pre surgery I loved ham post surgery don't care much for it. I have found that I do like a lot more fruits and veggies that pre surgery I didn't care for very much. To answer your question directly yes my surgeon did tell me that after surgery foods I once liked I might not anymore and vice versa.

[BanillaVean]

I can say pre surgery I loved ham post surgery don't care much for it.

I love honey baked ham - or at least I did before surgery. I haven't had any yet so I guess time will tell. Everything just tastes so bland now.

Wow! You've done phenomenal on your weight loss - All the best!

[DesertGal]

I had not heard about taste buds changing (either with or without surgery) but that has been one of my BIGGEST things I tell my husband nearly every single day. (I'm nearly 4 months out from surgery now.) NOT MANY things taste the same to me and it is annoying as can be. The only foods that do seem the same are: tuna fish, and eggs. I can't handle pizza (not that I need to be thinking about eating pizza) but the taste is off (yes I have taken a bite or two and landed up hurling it up or gagging it out.) I'm Italian and make pasta and meatballs and sausage weekly and I can't eat anything but the meatball. Sausage tastes HORRIBLE and even macaroni is off.

I have stuck my fingers and a teaspoon into ice cream (my vice) and it tastes pretty bad. Not the same as before, so not worried about eating that.
But yes, my taste buds are so out there right now... I want them to get back to normal- which might scare off some people- but I know I can't overdue it scarfing down food like pre-surgery because I can't get more than 3/4 cup per meal into me as it is.

[BanillaVean]

But yes, my taste buds are so out there right now... I want them to get back to normal- which might scare off some people- but I know I can't overdue it scarfing down food like pre-surgery because I can't get more than 3/4 cup per meal into me as it is.

Exactly how I feel! I still have to eat so it might as well taste pleasant. It has been difficult getting in the required protein so I am still drinking one premier protein shake per day, plus 2 oz of liquacel.

[DesertGal]

has been difficult getting in the required protein so I am still drinking one premier protein shake per day.

Same here. I drink one chocolate shake every morning and sometimes another in the afternoon. It's easier for me to get in the protein compared to the water I am SUPPOSED to consume. No where near the amounts recommended. I am not thirtsty anymore, unlike pre surgery days. The only time I am needing it is at the gym or in the middle of the night. Other than that, it's a forced drink.

[Luna354]

I put hot sauce on everything post surgery or red pepper flakes. All i eat is mainly protein and a little green veggies even 6 months later. I'm still staying away from carby stuff, like pizza and crackers. Those are slider foods. Be careful with those!

[DesertGal]

I put hot sauce on everything post surgery or red pepper flakes. All i eat is mainly protein and a little green veggies even 6 months later. I'm still staying away from carby stuff, like pizza and crackers. Those are slider foods. Be careful with those!

I have to add fat free Italian dressing to ALL my vegetables (broccoli, green beans)... they are just too blah and taste "off" (everything for me lately). I never thought of hot sauce... I'll have to try that. I love green sauce.

[BanillaVean]

I put hot sauce on everything post surgery or red pepper flakes. All i eat is mainly protein and a little green veggies even 6 months later. I'm still staying away from carby stuff, like pizza and crackers. Those are slider foods. Be careful with those!

I'll have to try the hot sauce. I do use red pepper flakes. I'm allotted 2-3 servings of starch a day, per my guidelines. Of course one serving on the guidelines is 3 cracker, lol. Most meat is just not sitting well with me. Except fish.

[sraebaer]

I would say it goes away. I enjoy everything I used to, just in smaller amounts. The crap I don't really like anymore, like chicken tenders used to be my favorite food. Maybe once a year I will try one. I guess when you get used to healthy food, the fried stuff isn't as good as you remembered.

I do enjoy a piece of pizza or a taco once in a while. Those are still delicious!

[ghost_ryder]

Anything sweetened was completely awful after surgery. But it begins to return.

Immediately after surgery, plain water had a metallic taste so I did not drink water. I subbed in PowerAde Zero because the taste was better. Water is now just as tasty as before.

[Tuesday2]

I haven't heard anything about tastes changing every 7 years. that sounds like an old wives tales.
but as others have said, some tastes will come back. I couldn't stand much in the beginning, and now I am back to liking more things. I always had a HUGE sweet tooth though and I've had no trouble staying away from it now though. On my birthday last month (50th), I had a bite of cake and didn't even want any more, and recently I got a kids cup size of non fat soft serve ice cream and didn't finish it, so both of those things are totally different from how I used to be.

[Christie13]

I never heard the hour thing but my tastes did change. There are a lot of things I loved pre op (like diet dr. pepper) that I find disgusting now. Also, I don't like sweets the way I did pre op.