Taste buds change after surgery???

[justiceaim1 0]

I just have two quick dumb questions. My dietitian had told me that your taste buds can change after surgery and I didn't really believe this. How can putting something at the top of your stomach change the taste buds in your mouth? I am beginning to think she is right though. I can't tolerate a lot of things that I used to eat because they are too sweet. I used to be able to eat anything sweet and have no problems at all. For years off and on I've done diets where I didn't have sugar and the same thing would happen for a while but I'd start eating it again and get used to it again. Now whenever I eat anything sweet or try a shake at Sonic it's so sweet it's gross to me and I can't drink it.

One more dumb question: Why do greasy foods hurt so much after lap band? I know I shouldn't have greasy foods or sugar anyway to be healthy but I'm just curious about these two things. Thanks for any info or experience you have on these subjects.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Apparently some people's tastes change. What happens is you get used to things. Say you drink tea sweetened. If you go a month drinking only unsweetened, then sweetened will taste funny because it isn't your "normal" any more. So there isn't really a physical alteration, just a change in habit and perception. That means, too, you have to be careful or the sweet stuff will start tasting good again. You can train your body to like it.

Same is true of foods high in fat. You aren't used to them now, so they upset your stomach. Keep at it and you can get used to them. This isn't uncommon. Adding anything into your diet (like a lot of Fiber when you were eating low Fiber, for example) can cause a gastric upset. That's also one reason travelers can get sour stomachs. Although there are "bugs" that can get you, of course, but A big change in our diets upsets our digestive systems. If you normally eat low fat low carb, say, and then go on a vacation and graze on foods higher in fat and carbs, you'll feel it in more than just tighter clothes.

[justiceaim1 0]

Thank you so much for the info Restless Monkey. I forgot to thank you for another post you answered for me a while back where you explained that when we first get the band it's like a loose belt at the top of your stomach and it isn't doing anything yet before a fill. It's so nice to be able to learn and get all of this advice on this website. It is really appreciated!!! :thumbup::)

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Sure! I am really HAPPY to help!

And about the taste bud thing; I know a blow to the head can cause them to really be altered or to change (happened to my husband...a cracked ethmoid bone. I know TMI LOL) and it isn't really the taste buds that change, but our sense of smell, but don't think that type of thing happens in surgery or with the band so I don't think I steered you wrong. We are pretty adaptable and can get used to healthier things. or so I've been told LOL

[justiceaim1 0]

What you said makes a lot of sense and it's probably right. I just got confused because the dietitian made it sound like something physical happened and that threw me for a loop.

I didn't know that a blow to someone's head could do that to your tastebuds! I should've had someone smack me in the head. It would've been cheaper than surgery! Hee Hee Hee! Just playing. :thumbup::)

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Shoot if that worked I'd get me a big Iron skillet and make some money! :thumbup:

[tlambright1986 0]

My taste buds have changed tremendously!

I grave things that I hated before! Weird?

I just started wanting about 3 weeks ago cucumbers and toms.. I never really likes toms. raw but wanted them! And cucumbers I hated them and one day just wanted one!

Before banding I didnt like Beans either..I like green Beans but thats about it! Now, I love all beans!!

Its so weird!

The bad thing though..I never really liked chocolate before banding! Now I do!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Actually that sounds more like pregant than post op side effects, at least to me! :thumbup:

Apparently sometimes the combo of anesthesia, entubation, trauma etc can cause some people to have an altered sense of taste but it is temporary. no lasting change to taste buds.

So I think my first answer is still good...although there's an exception to every rule. That's life, isn't it?

[justiceaim1 0]

Shoot if that worked I'd get me a big Iron skillet and make some money! :thumbup:

Yeah, If you could hit the noggin in just the right spot to make that work, you could rake in the dough. People would be lining up to see you. You could charge $10,000 a person. Still a lot cheaper than surgery!!!:):wub:

[justiceaim1 0]

My taste buds have changed tremendously!

I grave things that I hated before! Weird?

I just started wanting about 3 weeks ago cucumbers and toms.. I never really likes toms. raw but wanted them! And cucumbers I hated them and one day just wanted one!

Before banding I didnt like Beans either..I like green Beans but thats about it! Now, I love all beans!!

Its so weird!

The bad thing though..I never really liked chocolate before banding! Now I do!

The same thing has happened to me. I crave fish all the time now. I use to not care for it at all and I maybe ate it once a year if even that. Now I eat it several times a week. I got some Long John Silvers fish last night and it was too greasy and I use to consider grease a food group. I also have to dilute my Crystal Light because it tastes too sweet and I used to never think anything was too sweet. It's really bizarro.

[justiceaim1 0]

Actually that sounds more like pregant than post op side effects, at least to me! :thumbup:

Apparently sometimes the combo of anesthesia, entubation, trauma etc can cause some people to have an altered sense of taste but it is temporary. no lasting change to taste buds.

So I think my first answer is still good...although there's an exception to every rule. That's life, isn't it?

Sounds good to me...Whatever the reason, I'm glad for it because it helps me modify my behavior and Lord knows I definitely needed help with that.

I can't be pregnant unless it's from immaculate conception! :):wub:

Edited August 15, 2009 by justiceaim1
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