How have your taste buds and cravings changed post-surgery? What foods used to be your favourites that you now can barely even look at?

For me it's everything sweet. My tolerance is at zero. My shakes and protein water that I have to drink daily are completely punitive and something I just have to suffer through. My partner and I went to a fave cafe for lunch today and they bake all manner of tasty treats, including black sesame baked doughnuts that we both loved. They're less sweet than regular doughnuts and the flavour was delicious. My partner grabbed one after lunch with his second coffee, and out of curiosity, I stuck my finger in the tiniest bit and brought it to my tongue. Thankfully I had my own coffee to get the taste out of my mouth. It was horrid.

Savoury is my best friend. Thank god for savoury.

Edited November 5, 20214 yr by Smanky

4 hours ago, Smanky said:

How have your taste buds and cravings changed post-surgery? What foods used to be your favourites that you now can barely even look at?

For me it's everything sweet. My tolerance is at zero. My shakes and Protein Water that I have to drink daily are completely punitive and something I just have to suffer through. My partner and I went to a fave cafe for lunch today and they bake all manner of tasty treats, including black sesame baked doughnuts that we both loved. They're less sweet than regular doughnuts and the flavour was delicious. My partner grabbed one after lunch with his second coffee, and out of curiosity, I stuck my finger in the tiniest bit and brought it to my tongue. Thankfully I had my own coffee to get the taste out of my mouth. It was horrid.

Savoury is my best friend. Thank god for savoury.

I was hoping that my tastes would change after surgery, but they really did not, with the exception of french fries/fried potatoes (tried two different types out of curiosity and they just tasted mealy and gross). I enjoy the protein shakes and artificially sweetened yogurt. I haven't had any real sweets yet, so I guess I'm hoping to break up with those. I'm at my parents' house right now and there are some other guests so my mom bought my favorite cake from the fancy French bakery and I didn't try it. I am afraid that I will like it and I won't stop eating sweets. Also, I had a bit of fear of dumping, even though I had the sleeve. I ate a light and fit greek yogurt watching them eat the cake... it was a little sad.

9 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

Also, I had a bit of fear of dumping, even though I had the sleeve. I ate a light and fit greek yogurt watching them eat the cake... it was a little sad.

Bringing your fave cake is brutal! Major props to you resisting that, even if it meant settling for sad yoghurt.

The fear of dumping is real though. It's why I'm not willing to touch potatoes, pasta or bread.

My cravings have changed a lot! I used to love pasta and now even thinking about it makes me feel queasy. I think it’s all ‘carby’ stuff for me, like bread or pizza too ?
I do still like the thought of sweet things, but I am not looking to find out what dumping feels like if I can help it!! I found a nice chocolate protein pudding that I can have now and again so that helps to not feel like I’m missing anything.
My one most favourite food in the world however is chicken wings, and I am very much looking forward to making some of my own in the oven for Christmas. ?

My tastes have changed to the extent that I judge foods by "How enjoyable/easy is it going to be to chew that food real good before I swallow."

Pre-surgery, I loved steak. Especially fajitas. But even if I knew my stomach could handle steak (I am 2.5 months out and sure it couldn't), the idea of chewing a piece of steak down to being super soft repulses me. It's not worth it.

Another one was watermelon. I tried some about a month ago. The flavor was fine, but chewing it down is just a terrible experience. It feels like you are trying to break down little strings of plastic in your mouth.

My taste for sweet changed immediately post op but now I like all the same foods I did before. I choose not to have many of them but have sampled and I have no issues. I Sorta wish I did Develop an aversion for unhealthy things but of course I wasn’t one of those who did. I have to admit that I haven’t had ALOT of anything so if I did I still may dump but so far I haven’t.

1 hour ago, Splenda said:

My tastes have changed to the extent that I judge foods by "How enjoyable/easy is it going to be to chew that food real good before I swallow."

Pre-surgery, I loved steak. Especially fajitas. But even if I knew my stomach could handle steak (I am 2.5 months out and sure it couldn't), the idea of chewing a piece of steak down to being super soft repulses me. It's not worth it.

Another one was watermelon. I tried some about a month ago. The flavor was fine, but chewing it down is just a terrible experience. It feels like you are trying to break down little strings of plastic in your mouth.

I have always loved watermelon, and I've been eating it a lot, because it's easy to get pre-cut watermelon at the stores when I travel. It's hard to eat it slowly enough because it sort of disintegrates, but I still enjoy it.

I have been eating pork tenderloin the last few days at my parents' house. It's dry (even though it's not overcooked at all, still pink and juicy) but I've been putting hummus or baba ganouj on it and it's so high in protein that it's helpful. I don't particularly enjoy chewing it to mush, but it's no different than other foods.

Have you tried deli roast beef? I'm 8 weeks out and I have no issues with beef. I enjoy deli roast beef and beef short rib and flank steak cooked in Pho or Ramen (I just don't eat the noodles).

49 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

I have always loved watermelon, and I've been eating it a lot, because it's easy to get pre-cut watermelon at the stores when I travel. It's hard to eat it slowly enough because it sort of disintegrates, but I still enjoy it.

I have been eating pork tenderloin the last few days at my parents' house. It's dry (even though it's not overcooked at all, still pink and juicy) but I've been putting hummus or baba ganouj on it and it's so high in Protein that it's helpful. I don't particularly enjoy chewing it to mush, but it's no different than other foods.

Have you tried deli roast beef? I'm 8 weeks out and I have no issues with beef. I enjoy deli roast beef and beef short rib and flank steak cooked in Pho or Ramen (I just don't eat the noodles).

I haven't specifically tried deli roast beef and I think I could probably handle it. I haven't had problems with deli meats or ground meat. I handle chicken pretty good.

I wasn't able to handle beef short rib without getting the foamies.

46 minutes ago, Splenda said:

I haven't specifically tried deli roast beef and I think I could probably handle it. I haven't had problems with deli meats or ground meat. I handle chicken pretty good.

I wasn't able to handle beef short rib without getting the foamies.

I have never had the foamies. I threw up very dry chicken once, but that's it.

I developed a couple aversions that are noteworthy.

The first is yogurt. I used to eat lots of yogurt, specifically a Kroger artificially sweetened one they call Carbmaster. In preparation for surgery, I bought 40 or 50 cartons. Almost 6 months after surgery, I have forced one or two down. The rest are in the garage refrigerator waiting to be thrown out.

I also used to drink protein shakes from an outfit called Diet Direct. They cost about $11 for a box of 7, powder in envelopes. (They have to be mixed up in a blender.) The Premier Protein shakes taste better to me and they have more protein. But I own 50 or 60 boxes of the kind I don't like any more.

My recommendation to anybody who hasn't had surgery yet: don't stock up on anything, even things that are mainstays of your diet. You might be wasting your money.

1 hour ago, Dave In Houston said:

My recommendation to anybody who hasn't had surgery yet: don't stock up on anything, even things that are mainstays of your diet. You might be wasting your money.

This. This right here.

I enjoyed the protein shakes pre-surgery and stocked up on flavours I liked. Post surgery, the sweetest ones made it straight to the bin.

16 hours ago, Smanky said:

How have your taste buds and cravings changed post-surgery? What foods used to be your favourites that you now can barely even look at?

For me it's everything sweet. My tolerance is at zero. My shakes and Protein Water that I have to drink daily are completely punitive and something I just have to suffer through. My partner and I went to a fave cafe for lunch today and they bake all manner of tasty treats, including black sesame baked doughnuts that we both loved. They're less sweet than regular doughnuts and the flavour was delicious. My partner grabbed one after lunch with his second coffee, and out of curiosity, I stuck my finger in the tiniest bit and brought it to my tongue. Thankfully I had my own coffee to get the taste out of my mouth. It was horrid.

Savoury is my best friend. Thank god for savoury.

Barbecue. I used to love it and it just doesn't taste good to me anymore. I still love sweets, LOL.

11 minutes ago, Jaelzion said:

Barbecue. I used to love it and it just doesn't taste good to me anymore. I still love sweets, LOL.

Oh wow, does it still smell good? Or is it all just unappealing?

I don't even eat meat, but damn... barbeque smell is a vibe.

My small dalliances with anything containing wheat flour have been enough to think I'm one of those people that can't handle it after surgery. I'm not really bothered by it because I shouldn't be eating pasta or noodles anyway, and rice noodles are a thing if I must

Pre-surgery I loved eating eggs every morning for breakfast. I would put leftover veggies in and Cabot Hill 50% lite cheese. After surgery I can’t tolerate them. The dietitian suggested trying them at the 6th month mark. Smelling chicken other people are cooking makes my stomach cramp too, but pork and steak are back on the menu, venison too.

I was neither someone who craved specifically sweet or specifically savoury - more an equal opportunist & liked a bit of both. But sugar now? No thank you. Sweet things taste super sweet. Accidentally bought a box of honey instant oats sachets. Disgusting. Gave them to my mum who couldn’t believe I thought they were crazy sweet.

There were some things my tummy didn’t like to begin like my favourite vegetables (asparagus, broccolini, sugar snap peas) but after a month or so they were back on the menu. I still struggle a bit with mango. My restriction kicks in early & I gurgle lots. Do I still eat mango? Yes occasionally. But I go slow & eat small amounts at a time. Can’t be a Queenslander & not eat mangoes. ?

Savoury is still fine. Cheese, hummus & multi grain crackers when socialising, roasted fava beans (the chick pea ones taste like feet) as an odd treat. If I want a savoury hit I sometimes roll cucumber in sea salt. Salty goodness. But it’s not often. Lately I’ve been eating salmon sashimi with soya sauce for a salty savoury hit (with bonus protein) for lunch.