Weird smell habits/intolerances after surgery
(deactivated member)
on 8/19/08 8:24 am - San Antonio, TX
on 8/19/08 8:24 am - San Antonio, TX
Am I just strange (rhetorical, don't answer that) or are there still certain smells and tastes you can't tolerate even months or years out of surgery? For the first few months basically all smells bothered me, but then I got over it to some extent. Oddly though, there are still some smells and tastes I can't stand and others that I can't live without. Here's some examples
Lavender - I never ever cared for lavender before surgery, hated it actually, and now its one of the best smells in the world to me and I also like it in foods and teas
Mint and eucalyptus - when I am sick to my stomach either or both smells instantly help and several times have prevented what I thought was certain to be an upchuck episode. I've kept a little aromatherapy stick with me since surgery and I pull it out of my purse whenever a smell overwhelms me or if I am dumping
Tea - I've mentioned this before, but I drink so much tea now (I did before too, but now its way more, it can be 110 outside and I'm drinking hot tea). I try to keep it herbal, but green, black and white teas sneak in too. Its not just the flavor and warmth, Thundercles really seems to prefer tea to all other liquids and when he is grouchy, which is at least once a day, and a cup of tea often cures it.
Lemon - I am a FREAK with lemon now - the smell, the taste, I could just eat lemon peel and be happy. Lemon candy, lemon yogurt, lemon anything. Its a disturbingly strong inclination. I don't know if this indicates a vitamin deficiciency or something, but I crave lemon. I've been going through 1-2 dozen lemons per week, mostly just squeezed on everything or zested into everything. I'm not in it for the sour-ness, but the flavor and smell.
Dirt - ok this does indicate a vitamin issue probably, but the smell of dirt makes me hungry. Potting soil especially. I haven't actually partaken in any mudpies or anything, and my vitamin levels seem to be fine, but dirt, especially wet dirt smells better than baking cookies or whatever scent like that floats your boat.
Beef cooking, bbq, smell of deep fried things, sausage - still, a year since surgery, pretty much guaranteed to induce nausea. I made hamburger this afternoon and had to open doors, windows and pull out the febreeze afterwards. This was my first beef attempt in about a month because of this problem. It settles OK, not great, but ok, except for the smell. Early out from surgery I had steak sometimes and was fine, now I can't handle it most of the time.
Cinnamon - disgusting, but Chai, oddly delicious
Roses - disgusting, no exceptions, the smell of roses makes me turn green and this was a smell I liked before surgery
So seriously, I am honestly wondering, am I losing my mind or have you found things like this to be true too? I've always had a freakish sense of smell, ask my husband, but this is sort of ridiculous. I am only asking now because I just had to take a mug of hot mint tea to the bath, take a lavender bath, and then smear Badger balm for colds (lavendar/eucalyptus) on my chest and back to stop myself from throwing up from the lingering smell of burgers.
And no, I'm not pregnant. I checked about 2 weeks ago after my husband suggested that my smell intolerances might be getting worse and I seemed to be complaining of being nauseas a lot more than I was a few months ago.
And if I am just crazy, its ok, tell me, I can take it!
Lavender - I never ever cared for lavender before surgery, hated it actually, and now its one of the best smells in the world to me and I also like it in foods and teas
Mint and eucalyptus - when I am sick to my stomach either or both smells instantly help and several times have prevented what I thought was certain to be an upchuck episode. I've kept a little aromatherapy stick with me since surgery and I pull it out of my purse whenever a smell overwhelms me or if I am dumping
Tea - I've mentioned this before, but I drink so much tea now (I did before too, but now its way more, it can be 110 outside and I'm drinking hot tea). I try to keep it herbal, but green, black and white teas sneak in too. Its not just the flavor and warmth, Thundercles really seems to prefer tea to all other liquids and when he is grouchy, which is at least once a day, and a cup of tea often cures it.
Lemon - I am a FREAK with lemon now - the smell, the taste, I could just eat lemon peel and be happy. Lemon candy, lemon yogurt, lemon anything. Its a disturbingly strong inclination. I don't know if this indicates a vitamin deficiciency or something, but I crave lemon. I've been going through 1-2 dozen lemons per week, mostly just squeezed on everything or zested into everything. I'm not in it for the sour-ness, but the flavor and smell.
Dirt - ok this does indicate a vitamin issue probably, but the smell of dirt makes me hungry. Potting soil especially. I haven't actually partaken in any mudpies or anything, and my vitamin levels seem to be fine, but dirt, especially wet dirt smells better than baking cookies or whatever scent like that floats your boat.
Beef cooking, bbq, smell of deep fried things, sausage - still, a year since surgery, pretty much guaranteed to induce nausea. I made hamburger this afternoon and had to open doors, windows and pull out the febreeze afterwards. This was my first beef attempt in about a month because of this problem. It settles OK, not great, but ok, except for the smell. Early out from surgery I had steak sometimes and was fine, now I can't handle it most of the time.
Cinnamon - disgusting, but Chai, oddly delicious
Roses - disgusting, no exceptions, the smell of roses makes me turn green and this was a smell I liked before surgery
So seriously, I am honestly wondering, am I losing my mind or have you found things like this to be true too? I've always had a freakish sense of smell, ask my husband, but this is sort of ridiculous. I am only asking now because I just had to take a mug of hot mint tea to the bath, take a lavender bath, and then smear Badger balm for colds (lavendar/eucalyptus) on my chest and back to stop myself from throwing up from the lingering smell of burgers.
And no, I'm not pregnant. I checked about 2 weeks ago after my husband suggested that my smell intolerances might be getting worse and I seemed to be complaining of being nauseas a lot more than I was a few months ago.
And if I am just crazy, its ok, tell me, I can take it!
You might be crazy, but not on this issue. My problem is that I haven't really found smells that are pleasant and calming like you, but I sure can list a few that make me gag. I was like you pre-op, a super smeller. Heck all my senses are super, I hear like a bat - can taste out ingredients in a recipe, and smell from a mile away. Since surgery my reaction to smells that I would only complain about pre-op is gagging!
Regarding tastes, I had my first episode this weekend. I love milk. Well, loved! milk. Took one sip and I would have sworn up and down it was sour. Unfortunately I would I have been wrong. It didn't expire for 10 more days. I can promise you this, it will be a while before I try milk again!
Regarding tastes, I had my first episode this weekend. I love milk. Well, loved! milk. Took one sip and I would have sworn up and down it was sour. Unfortunately I would I have been wrong. It didn't expire for 10 more days. I can promise you this, it will be a while before I try milk again!
My nose has been defective for years -- in fact, if there's a smell I can actually smell, then folks with working noses must truly be suffering. I hope this will all change next week when I get my wonky septum repaired.
Could you have a hormonal imbalance? I'm thinking that pregnant women can be extremely sensitive to smells (I had a friend who craved the smell of gasoline fumes when she was pregnant, go figure!), and since you aren't pregnant, I'm wondering if it's wonky hormones.
Two of my favorite smells are: freshly ground coffee and freshfly baked bread!
Kix
Could you have a hormonal imbalance? I'm thinking that pregnant women can be extremely sensitive to smells (I had a friend who craved the smell of gasoline fumes when she was pregnant, go figure!), and since you aren't pregnant, I'm wondering if it's wonky hormones.
Two of my favorite smells are: freshly ground coffee and freshfly baked bread!
Kix
Jenn
you might wonna try another pregnancy test in a few weeks.
I have a nose like a hound dog(not as big though).
My dhs cologne loved it now i gag..
Took the boys to taco bell the smell coming out of there was horrible..
The only air freshner i can stand now is frebreeze.
Going down the road it seems like i can smell everyones exhaust.
Its like my nose is so sensitive.
I do not or did not like salads and now i could live on them.
My newest is i took a bite of baked mac and cheese and omg im craving that stuff(but ive had none since) but i used to hate it..
you might wonna try another pregnancy test in a few weeks.
I have a nose like a hound dog(not as big though).
My dhs cologne loved it now i gag..
Took the boys to taco bell the smell coming out of there was horrible..
The only air freshner i can stand now is frebreeze.
Going down the road it seems like i can smell everyones exhaust.
Its like my nose is so sensitive.
I do not or did not like salads and now i could live on them.
My newest is i took a bite of baked mac and cheese and omg im craving that stuff(but ive had none since) but i used to hate it..
I haven't noticed any smells that I have fallen in love with, but I have with taste. I now love a sharp onion taste, especially on a burger or in chili. I also am having quite a love affair with tomatoes. Before surgery, I liked onions and I liked tomatoes...but it certainly has ramped up since surgery.
I know what you mean by being repulsed by some smells. Can't remember where we were at, but we walked out a door and walked into a large area where lots of people were grilling/BBQ. The smell of cooking meat was overwhelming and I almost lost it right there. The floral department in one particular store bowls me over, too. I can't imagine going into a full fledged florist. Ugh!
I remember when I was pregnant the meat case would about kill me. The smell of raw meat was too much for me. Other than that, I don't remember smells being whacky during pregnancy.
Take Care
Jana
I know what you mean by being repulsed by some smells. Can't remember where we were at, but we walked out a door and walked into a large area where lots of people were grilling/BBQ. The smell of cooking meat was overwhelming and I almost lost it right there. The floral department in one particular store bowls me over, too. I can't imagine going into a full fledged florist. Ugh!
I remember when I was pregnant the meat case would about kill me. The smell of raw meat was too much for me. Other than that, I don't remember smells being whacky during pregnancy.
Take Care
Jana
I crave LEMON too!!! I thought it was just me! I am also able to smell things that no one else seems to be able to and certian smells make me totally sick (and they didn't before) I always think my dogs are stinky now so they have had 2 baths in the past 3 months. No one else thinks they stink, it's just me. Also the smell of onions is repulsive now for some reason.
Start: 487 lbs (8/07) Lost 81 lbs pre op on South Beach. 406 lbs at surgery (6/08). 179 post op, by 2011. I lost 308 lbs. Gained 98 while pregnant (2012-13) lost all but 25. My goal is to be 179 again!
Two years after that....
I could not be happier.
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