Question:
Will my tastes change?

I am still pre-op and I wanted to start protein supplements before my surgery to help me lose the required weight before surgery. I ordered samples of Real Meals last week to give it a try. After hearing so many people on this board say how much they hated protein supplements I was almost scared to take a sip. But it tasted great, like chocolate milk. And they emailed me two pages of recipes to use with it in case I got bored of the taste. My question is it tastes great to me now but I have heard people say that their tastes change after surgery. Do they change that drastically where I will hate this afterwards? When you say your tastes change what does it mean? Does it taste stronger or sweeter or totally different?    — Lynn S. (posted on February 12, 2003)

February 12, 2003
I liked vanilla and chocolate protein drinks before surgery but after surgery I don't really like them. I loved IsoPure Dutch Chocolate and made one up about 2 weeks postop and I liked the taste but after 3 sips or so I thought I was going to throw up (way too thick). I tried it again at 4 weeks and same experience. I couldn't tolerate the taste of Real Meals but only tried it post op so I don't know how I would have liked it before surgery. I loved Met Rx Classic Vanilla before surgery and still like it as far as taste goes, but like the chocolate Isopure, I can't drink more than a few sips of it. I liked fruit protein drinks before surgery but not as much as I like them now. I can't really explain it or understand it. For me part of it is the taste and part is the texture. I just can't take the really thick drinks. I only know that things I really liked before surgery I don't really like anymore. My tastes are still evolving so it might change yet again.
   — susanje

February 12, 2003
Your tastes do change ALOT! What I loved before surgery is not something I like now. I don't have any desire for sugar whatsoever, and I tend to crave veggies and protein more than anything. I love cooking and cook even healthier for my family now. I take a protein drink made from the Gym I joined called Curves. I love it. I tried real meals and others but they were aweful. Good Luck! Open RNY 9/30/02 down 100lbs.
   — EMN

February 12, 2003
Before my surgery I ordered a BUNCH of samples so I could figure out what I liked in advance. OOOPS that does not work. Your taste will change dramatically. Food, drinks, smells, everything are different for me now. Scents I liked before I do not like now. I can not even look at foods I craved in the past. Do not be surprised if the protein supps you loved are on your most hated list after. **11 mths PO -190lbs, current wght 130**
   — smedley200

February 12, 2003
Yeah, blahblahblah. Some people's tastes change, other's don't. Mine didn't. :) Good luck to you!
   — Tamara K.

February 12, 2003
I didn't notice my tastes changing much either, but it may have been due to the fact that I didn't eat much of anything for about 4 months. However, the idea of ordering samples is a good one. You can go to www.vitalady.com and order some. They are one-serving samples, so if you don't like one there may be another one that suits you. I would wait to try them until you are post-op. That way, if your tastes do change, you'll have a better idea of which ones you really like and which ones you can't stand. Also remember that something you I might think is great, you may think is horrible. The point is that you'll need to find out what you like and can tolerate post-op before buying much of anything.
   — garw

February 12, 2003
hi there :) everyone is different and experiences their own thing with this. my tastes chaged alot. i never drank coffee ever, now i do, i didnt like spicey now i love it, i used to like sweets before surgery and now i dont, im pretty content wiht the occasional sf russel stovers pruducts when i am hit wiht a sweet tooth once a month. but for the most part, i cant stand the taste of sweet in my mouth. you may find your tolerances for certain things have changed as well, its trial and error at first and youll learn as ya go! :) just take it slow when trying anything new and best of luck to you! :)
   — carrie M.

February 12, 2003
I tried Real meals before surgery and had the same opinion as you. Tasted like chocolate milk. So I ordered a case of them for after only to find that since surgery i can't tolerate anything chocolate at all. This coming from a girl who would have eaten chocolate covered poo! I am finding however that I tolerate the vanilla Real Meals just fine and drink them every day and my nutritionist is very impressed with them. My suggestion would be to get a couple more samples and save them for post op and try them then and then order. You won't be able to have them right away anyway. My tastes have changed completely! Good Luck!
   — Carol S.

February 12, 2003
My tastes changed a great deal after surgery, and the tasty protein drinks that I selected beforehand would make me wretch after the surgery. Everyone is different, and you might not change at all, but I would want to invest a lot of money into something that might not work for you afterwards. A lot of things that I used to crave before the surgery I wouldn't want now, Soda pop was my favorite and I would drink 6 or 7 a day. I can't even think about soda now, all I crave is water...Same thing with sweets...good luck to you...
   — Steve V.