Question:
Has anyone found the taste of water disgusting after surgery?

I will be one week post-op tomorrow. Oddly, I'm really struggling with water--of all things. But it's not because I don't want it. I don't know if it just doesn't mix well with the meds I am on or if there are still some traces of the gases from the anesthesia from the surgery or the fluids they put in me during my hospital stay lingering in my body, but water now leaves this very bitter metallic aftertaste in my mouth that is just awful. I even had my family go out and buy some bottled spring water thinking that it might be that, for some reason, I was just being sensitive to the chemicals and minerals in the tap water. Unfortunately, I got the same result. I'm still getting my fluid intake because I immediately started experimenting and found that sugar free popcicles, VERY diluted Crystal Lite, and green tea are great, and I force myself to alternate the water between them--despite the taste. However, I have to be honest. The idea of permanently not liking the taste of water doesn't sit well with me. Did anyone else experience this post-op? How long did it last? Please tell me it goes away.    — Amanda S. (posted on May 18, 2003)

May 18, 2003
Amanda, I am almost 18 months post-op and can't tolerate the taste of water unless it is very, very cold. I get my fluids from Crystal Light, Sugar Free Country Time and Sugar Free Tang. My surgeon told me that any fluid I drank that wasn't caffeinated was ok - that I didn't have to drink water if I didn't want to. Why do you make your Crystal Light weak - I drank if full strength from the beginning and had no problems. Don't worry about the water - you might get to like it again - I did for a short time and then lost the taste for it again.
   — Patty_Butler

May 18, 2003
Now see, I'm the opposite on this one. I only like my water at room temperature. My we are all sooo different! But I agree about the other stuff Patti (?) posted. Oh and I love Propel flavored water with vitamins. Yummmm!
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 18, 2003
I felt the same way for a long time. Now I can chug a bottle of spring water in about two minutes flat and like the taste again. In the beginning I drank a lot of flavored herbal teas with Splenda. It seemed to go down a lot easier. I would say that my tastes started to return to normal after about 4 or 5 months.
   — Linda A.

May 18, 2003
My taste change so much from day to day but one thing has not changed post-op. Water taste yucky to me. Pre-op I drank 80 to 100 oz. a day but now I cant choke it down. I would wither and die if it had not been for sugar free Tang and Crystal Light. Both tend to be on the sweet side so I add extra water and ice. Good luck to you. ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 90+
   — Siddy I.

May 18, 2003
I have the same reaction to the water here at our house. I can't stand it. I do however find that bottled water is much better and it is ALL I drink. I have found a local Market that sells 3 gallons for 1.79 and buy 9-12 gallons at a time. Try bottled water and see if it is better for you.
   — dkinson

May 18, 2003
It goes away. I couldn't stand it either, so I drank decaf teas to get my fluid it.... anything minty seemed to work well for me. Soon I could tolerate warm water... but, cold water was still a problem. Now, I can tolerate any water (cold or hot) and it doesn't taste funny at all! Best of luck to you....
   — teresa M.

May 18, 2003
Hi Amanda... yes, water tastes horrible to me. Actually, EVERYTHING taste bad, including diluted crystal light, popsicles, and broth... YUCK!
   — Happy I.

May 18, 2003
I know this is going to be an unpopular stance, but I drink iced tea like crazy. My surgeon's PA said it's fine as long as it's not sweetened - even with the caffeine. Water is awful and I can't do it plain (or at least not much). You need to find what works for you.
   — Toni C.

May 18, 2003
I was also a gallan a day girl til the day of surgery. Then, blam, who rusted the meteal in my pipes. I even had them checked and they're PVC! LOL! Everythign tasting "off" is normal for awhile, byt sometimes the metallic taste can mean something specific. It did for me, but it took them 6 months to diagnose it. Then 2 days to fix. After other things start to taste normal, if water still tastes metallic or you get pronouncednausea or vomiting, it'd be good to pursue it with your doc.
   — vitalady

May 18, 2003
CONGRATS, your in ketosis like atkins folks do. Means your loosing great! Bad breathe, yuk water etc, all normal! I drank sugar free grapekoolaid strong to mask the taste and just had some a couple minutes ago. Its normal and will go away! So relax that scale will be dropping fast!
   — bob-haller

May 18, 2003
Yes, I'm replying to my own post. Actually I'm replying to Patti's inquiry about why I don't drink Crystal Lite full strength. The answer is that it's just too sweet to me at full strength. I think it tastes more sugary than regular Kool Aid. Really rich, sweet things were something I couldn't eat even before my surgery because I just don't really like the taste of super sweet things. Pre-surgery, I preferred my sweet flavors more subtle. It appears that nothing has changed post-surgery as far as that preference is concerned.
   — Amanda S.

May 18, 2003
Then try unsweetned kool aid to cover the YUK taste and sweeten as needed with Splenda.
   — bob-haller

May 18, 2003
I had the same experience, and I too think the bad taste was due to the anesthesia. It was so bad that I thought I had some kind of bile-reflux thing going on...it was awful! And it didn't matter whether it was bottled water or tap water. The good news is, it wore off with time (certainly by the 2-week mark), and now water tastes great. As a general word of advice, you might experience lots of things in this early period that could upset you. For me, it was fear that I'd never be able to 'guzzle' water again, and that bilious taste in my mouth. Try to realize that you're in a difficult phase, and don't hesitate to ask questions here to help allay your fears. Best of luck, and hang in there!!
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 18, 2003
owe gosh yes, i couldnt beleive it that my taste buds changed so much that i couldnt even stand water, i was even concerned because i knew i wasnt getting in the amount i needed but i tried slowly and worked my way back up to being able to drink it again it took me a long time like 6+ months but now i drink it and i drink crystal lite...
   — Deanna Wise

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