Question:
Why is food and drink tasting so badly and will this be forever?

I had my surgery one month ago today and am doing really great except for the fact that neither food nor drink tastes good to me any more. When I say that I mean almost nothing is enjoyable to me not even coffee which I used to love. I've tried soups, potato, vegetables crackers with tuna and egg salad. Is this normal??? Will I ever get to the point that food tastes good again. I am never hungry nor thirsty so I force what I eat and drink down because I know I have to. I would appreciate it if any of you have had the same problem and if it gets better. Thank You!!!    — Mary B. (posted on November 10, 2000)

November 10, 2000
Hi Mary - first of all - congratulations on coming through the surgery. Now as for the food tasting poorly...This too shall pass. I was the same way for the first couple of months post-op. Everything sounded and tasted gross! Foods that I LOVED before WLS, I couldn't stand the taste or the smell of. It did eventually get better. There are some foods that I don't like as much as I did before. Part of that is because I actually chew my food now, instead of just wolfing it down like I did pre-op. I now buy higher quality of food because I actually taste it! But it will get better. I don't know if it is a residual effect of the anesthesia, or it is just our body's way of saying "I don't want any food", but it will go away eventually. BTW, I am 9 months post-op and down 159 lbs. Hugs...
   — Holly G.

November 10, 2000
Hi Mary. I had a great deal of difficulty with my taste buds rebelling post-op. Even water tasted different to me. I am six months post-op now and the taste buds are back to normal for the most part, although I don't like pizza anymore and I loved it before. I found that strong tasting food items tasted better to me during those early weeks...strong cheese, pickles, even liverwurst! It will get better. Good luck.
   — Mary F.

November 10, 2000
Hi Mary. I too had the BPD/DS and experienced the same thing you're going through right now. The smell and taste of most foods disgusted me. I'm now almost 5 moths post-op and it's gotten alot better, although some of the foods I once loved I no longer like. Good Luck to you.
   — PrettyHotAndTempting

November 10, 2000
Hi Mary. I too had the BPD/DS and experienced the same thing you're going through right now. The smell and taste of most foods disgusted me. I'm now almost 5 months post-op and it's gotten alot better, although some of the foods I once loved I no longer like. Good Luck to you.
   — PrettyHotAndTempting