Hey guys, I’m 18 days post op & my goodnes things taste so differently. I’ve just bunged a soup in the bin because it tasted so salty!!

What’s the science behind my taste buds being so different?!!

Interesting experience. I hope that levels out for you. I'm scheduled for surgery on the 6th and have been concerned about these types of changes as well. Keep us posted on whether it improves or not.

It’s really strange! Sweet things taste sweeter too! ??‍♀️

Here's my theory (not sure if it's founded in science, but here goes):

As a society, we've become more tolerant of salt and sugar to the point where we're kind of "taste blind" to it. During the pre-op and immediate post-op period, you're on a very specific and restricted diet. You've essentially purged sugar and salt from your diet. So, when you start introducing these things again, you're more sensitive to it.

It's also likely because for the last 18 days + the pre-op diet period, you haven't been eating pre-packaged or restaurant foods, which are notoriously high in salt. The average American diet has a lot of salt, and we get used to the taste. Since you've likely been on liquids (maybe purees) that don't have as much added salt, your taste buds have adjusted back to lower salt levels.

I've heard this theory as well. I wonder if this subsides though. Sounds like it does.

Edited February 24, 20197 yr by sneezergirl

If it is truely just your taste buds - likely. If it is that you've weaned yourself off salt, then it would if you start eating a lot of salt again. Instead of doing that, can you try making your favorite foods at home with less salt. Soups should be pretty easy to duplicate.

I haven’t had an issue with salty but sweet yuck. Especially some of the low sugar items, they taste very sweet and very artificial

Agree with all of the above! I’m going to make soup from now on & only use half of my usual stock. I’m amazed at just how salty food really is!!

I am having the same issue.

I was never huge on using salt before, but now it is something else.

I used to love the chicken salad at my store. Now, I had to throw it out because it tasted way too salty. I had my son taste it to see if it was me....it was me. LOL

It’s crazy isn’t it!!

17 minutes ago, NH1 said:

It’s crazy isn’t it!!

Yes it is.

And the other big thing I discovered is that right now, I can not eat tomato sauce. I have gotten sick all 3 times.

The first time, I thought maybe I ate too fast.
The second time, I thought maybe I ate too much.
But the third time I made sure to pay attention to everything.....I got sick, so I figure it is the tomato sauce (I had ricotta bake). My mom suggested that it was the type of sauce I used might have had paste in it that alot of people have a problem digesting tomato paste.
I figure I am just not going to chance it right now and put tomato sauce to the side for a few months.

Blimey! My other thing is that the second I start eating or drinking I get awful wind that just travels up & down my oesophagus...like a spirit level. It’s so annoying & in the end I just give up eating!!

In reply to the salty taste, I think it's part due to a more bland diet and maybe due to some dehydration. I have experienced to the same thing. It's not as bad now as I am 1 year out but it was definitely there. As for the air in the esophagus, I still get gurgling while I eat. I dont know if it's because my stomach is more of a tube than a pouch. I cant control it but it doesn't stop me from eating. Sometimes it happens after I eat too. It's not like a burp, it's just lose air that comes up.

Yes happyRN exactly that! I’m finding it so annoying!!

Not sure if it will ever go away. It is embarrassing if you are eating with other people. My family just laughs now because they know I cant help it.