Not happy 5 months post-op

We had our surgery near the same date. I wouldn't say my sense of taste was lost. But until around 4 months or so out, I did not enjoy eating at all. It was a chore. And though I didn't regret surgery, I felt like I had lost something I hadn't bet on losing...I really felt like I'd never really want to eat anything again. Anyway. That has passed. :) hopefully yours improves too. But not too much! Lol

Our surgery dates are pretty close, and I still can't tolerate much dense meat on its own, so I'm not surprised you can't either. I'd suggest checking out the daily menu threads to see what people eat at different stages.

With regard to taste buds, I think I fall more in to what Peach describes.

my tastebuds haven't changed, but I go through long bouts of food apathy. Flipping the switch to eating for energy/nutrition, rather than emotional fulfillment is a trip.

But to be honest, I love it. I love the freedom that comes with not being obsessed about my next meal, or going to a celebration and having the food be the major focus. Also, being able to join in on more activities with friends and family, rather than hanging back out of fear I can't do something , or I'm achy, or hold them back etc, is something I wouldn't trade for all the comfort food in the world.

What  White Dove says - it takes 2 years for your body to be at its stable functioning.  Crab cakes - 85% crab are my favorite.  Although if I made them everyday, they would get old.

Make sure that you are getting 80gms of protein in and staying under 1000 cal (under 800 for good sustained weigh loss, unless you are already at goal).   I would be careful of the melon and protein bars ((candy bars with a scoop of protein powder, as one OHer called them).

If I were eating as you describe, I would not be getting enough protein in and my calories might be high.  Two things to check.

Thanks.

I had surgery on Sept 20- I have days when nothing taste good or tastes at all.  I also have a terrible time with dense meat.  I stayed frustrated about not being able to eat until a few weeks ago.  I don't think there is anyway to prepare for the mental affect the surgery has on you.  Good luck, and congratulations on the weight loss.  What amazing results!!! 

You may be dealing with vitamin- minerals deficiencies. Low zinc can cause taste buds issues...As a few others like B12, B6, B1, folic acid..Etc. go to the doc and request detailed blood work. .

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-02-15/features/09021 10331_1_taste-sensations-taste-buds-folic-acid

It is temporary! ENJOY it for now and try not to see it as a punishment. Try not to turn to foods that just "taste good"!! This could set you up for a huge down fall later! If you are basing your meals on 'what taste good' then you are not training yourself to eat for nourishment but for taste alone. You want to lose as much weight at this point as possible while learning new eating habits. If you enjoyed cooking for your family before surgery you will once again but hopefully it will be learning to cook healthier meals.

I'll be 8 years out in March from RNY.

Just hang in there.  Food doesn't taste good - that's OK and doable.  We eat for fuel to nourish our bodies.  We morbidly obese people ate food for many various reasons, but much of the time it wasn't to nourish or fuel our bodies so they function - it was because it tasted good, smelled good, looked good, etc.  We ate when we weren't hungry and kept eating when we were full.  We didn't have many boundaries when it came to eating.

I'm restricted on what I can eat.  I'm gluten intolerant and have reactive hypoglycemia.  My little pouch doesn't like meat unless it is ground up and I have some to dip it in to moisten it.  I have nausea after I eat and still have times every week where it comes back up.

I eat almost the same thing every day.  I've made peace with that.  I feel good, move good, live an active life.  I "see" food much differently now and say "no" often.  I get 100+ grams of protein in every day and keep my carbs around 80 gm (don't eat much fruit except berries because carbs are too high).

You will have many "new" experiences with food and you WILL get your taste back and will be able to eat very similar to your "old morbid obese" ways.  Use the "honeymoon" period for weight loss.  Track/Journal everything you eat.  It is surprising to find out that we have more calories or carbs that we thought.

It will be easy to gain weight after about 18 months.

Being healthier and more mobile is far more important to me than the taste of food.  Again, hang in there and follow your post op bariatric eating plan.  

Best wishes - this, too, will pass

Penny

Thank you.

I had sensory issues with food where it was exteme in taste and not palatable because of the extreme, as well as being overly sensitive to food smell which was unappealing. 

Most peeps wls journies are unique and cyclical. You won't as others say be in this stage forever. Or you'll see others at your same stage who not only can enjoy the taste of food but also are upset about it because they tolerate foods they didn't think they'd be able to eat after their surgeries and feel despondent about that. 

I agree with Hala in the respect I couldn't hurt to have your labs done. But when you think of what others are trying to say to you that the majority of foods that are important i.e. protein are what you want to emphasize on like you are doing and getting your vitamins are key. 

Most people will vary when they get further out, too. Some people can eat a wide range of food i.e. a little bit better balance of protein and then some complex carbs and it doesn't effect them. 

Chicken was a toughie for me from the start, I couldn't chew it to a consistency the first couple of years to get it down, same with lean proteins. It should hopefully get better as you get further out. 

You'll find your groove but try to make the peace with the give and take of your process. Meaning that your within your first 6 months post bariatric surgery and in your first year, it normally gets easier in some ways as things change and you adapt, as you get further out, but it is helpful to get support when you need it from now on and you'll have more thing as you get further out to look forward to, most likely than regret of what you lost in food choices or how eating has changed for you, where it will either get better or it will matter less.