For 14 days after surgery I could take nothing in but water and not very much of it. Almost ended up back in the hospital and probably should have been but it was Christmas and I didn't want to go! It. Was. Aweful. It was also scary. I was SO weak. My dietician started working closely with me and got me through but it was a SLOW process. It initially took me 10 minutes to get one ounce of watered down apple juice in. I also could not tolerate protein shakes AT ALL. My tastes have changed as well and I am not a smoker so you must be going crazy! I cannot tolerate ANY protein shakes to this day and I am 5 months out. Hang in there!!!