Will anything ever taste good again????

Hi All -
I'm 6+ weeks out from RNY.  I guess this a problem, although some would be thankful for it I suppose. 

My previous love of food has left the building....Nothing tastes good to me and I am never hungry.  I keep myself on a proper eating schedule and get it all of my protein, however, it has occurred to me that I really don't care for the taste of anything these days. 

Last night I mixed up Fage greek yogurt with sugar free cheesecake jello pudding mix.  I thought for sure that I would love it, since I was a fan of cheesecake pre-op.  Nope, didn't care for it.  It was palatable, but not great.

Pre-op, I would go to the grocery store and things would call out to me.  No more - I wander around the store aisles reading labels and pick things up based on nutrition, but nothing says to me "can't wait to get home and have a bite of this".  It takes me forever to shop.  I was even excited to pick up some beef jerky to try - got it home took one bite, chewed it well and was like, meh - that wasn't as nummy as I had hoped it would be. 

Is this temporary?  Should I be happy that I have no "head hunger" and non-operating taste buds and not worry about it?

It's so confusing and foreign to me.

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

What you are experiencing is very very common and will pass eventually. My mantra during the first six months was that every thing tasted like sh#%. It is frustrating but good at the same time. It will help you get over/through cravings and it helped me realize and focus on the idea that food is fuel and that taste wasn't the motivator for eating.

We can talk more at the meeting tonight if you'd like.

Take Care,
Teresa

Thank you Teresa - that would be great.
Lisa

Don't worry, Lisa - it is temporary and eventually you will begin to enjoy foods again, but during this 'honeymoon' phase take advantage of not desiring a lot of things and continue what you're doing - eating on a schedule to get your proteins in and plenty of fluids. It may take 6, 8 or 12 months til real hunger and craving return but even then it won't be the same as before because you've created new habits and eating patterns. Once in a great while something will smell terrific and I'll crave it - and usually a small taste or serving of it will do (nothing sugar for me - I dump), but you'll find that big portions of food will really turn you off most of the time. Don't get me wrong - there are still times when my eyes are literally bigger than my stomach and I push my pouch, then regret it and swear I'll never do it again, until the next time! LOL!!

Yes Lisa,
Enjoy this temporary unenjoyable time. And yes be happy about it. It certainly helps you to get the enjoyment focus off of food. Food is primarily fuel. And although you WILL enjoy it once again, for now enjoy NOT enjoying it. Your system is still adjusting and adapting. Your taste buds are on vacation and may be away for months but they will return and when they do you will have learned how to eat smarter, better and imagine the weight you will lose. Once your system and body stablize, months from now, your taste will return and you can slowly try different foods for nutrition first, and enjoyment last. Protein is always first. And don't let your lack of enjoyment have you forgetting to eat. Put yourself on a schedule and eat as well as you can. You'll never regret following the rules. They will serve you well.

All the best,

Dennis

 

Lisa--
It is hard those first weeks and months out as your body adjusts and your tastes change tremendously.  You just have to keep trying new things..go back try old things..see how it goes.....

In my early stages I had such an issue sucking down the protein drinks...which I loved pre surgery...after they were waaaay to sweet and made me gag...but like many people told me I just had to get it down like medicine and be done with it...that and the fact that I didn't want to waste the $30 per container I had spent!!!

I am over a year out and honestly I rarely if ever feel "hungry"...I eat on a schedule...approx something every two hours.  Sometimes its good..sometimes its an "eh" experience...sometimes I just eat the cheese stick cause I need the protein. 

But the good thing is that during this time you are teaching yourself and your body that food is the fuel...not the emotional attachement so many of us have to it.  We eat to stay healthy, to excersise, and to live more active lives...not to bury feelings, etc..

My tastes are still changing and evolving but I know that I have a much healthier relationship with food today than I did a year ago and for that I am ever so grateful!!!!

So take this time to get to know food as fuel...and incorporate all the healthy lifestyle changes needed to be as successful as possible!!!

Hope that helped a little bit!!!!!  If youneed anything just let me know!!!!

Much luv!!
Laura

Ditto what everyone else said. Food will, unfortunately, start to taste good again!

this is the stage where you eat to live not live to eat,...it will pass...and the later will come back unfortunately

Thanks to everyone for your insightful replies.  It really does help to know that I am not alone in this journey and that just about everyone here has had a similar experience.  Anytime I need something, my PA friends are right here for me with words of advice and encouragement.

   Lisa

I remember that well!  And sometimes wish I had it back!

Everyone has summed it up already - so I won't go into a full length response....

I'm glad to hear you are eating on your schedule and getting your protein in.

And, thanks to Liz and the other people of the cooking class, there WILL be LOTS of food you can have that you will enjoy!

Pam