Taste Changes After Surgery

Many patients may experience changes in their sense of smell or taste following weight loss surgery. They often report a heightened sensitivity to sweet, salty, sour or bitter tastes. It’s not clear exactly why this happens, but research suggests that hormonal changes in the gut impact the nervous system, resulting in mixed messages between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract. One study indicated that as high as 97% of patients experience changes in either taste, smell or tolerance of certain foods following surgery. And some people face a combination of all of these changes! This can cause anxiety, or possibly even result in deficiencies if the patients are not able to meet their nutrition needs. We know it can be frustrating and we want to help you through this challenging time! How UNJURY® Can Help! If you are experiencing an aversion to sweet flavors, you can:

• Try adding Chocolate or Vanilla UNJURY to unsweetened items, such as almond milk, decaf coffee, or plain, non-fat Greek yogurt.
• Or if you prefer to avoid sweet flavors altogether, UNJURY Chicken Soup and Unflavored Protein are great alternatives!

  If you experience a heightened sense of smell:

• Try extracts, herbs, and spices to enhance food choices with favorable aromas.
• Add orange, raspberry, or peppermint extract to your UNJURY shakes.
• A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg can also improve smells.

  You may also want to consider the temperature of what you’re consuming:

• If you tolerate cold food and drinks better, blend UNJURY with ice.
• If warm foods tend to be more agreeable, mix UNJURY into warm liquids up to 140 degrees.
• There are also a variety of UNJURY recipes that can be served at room temperature.

  For more ideas and a collection of recipes, please visit UNJURY Recipes.