Taste change after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

Many patients have described changes in taste perception after weight loss surgery. Our hypothesis was that patients develop postoperative changes in taste that vary by bariatric procedure.

Patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) completed a 23-question institutional review board-approved survey postoperatively regarding their degree and type of taste changes and food aversion and how these influenced their eating habits.

A total of 127 patients participated. After removing the inadequately completed surveys, 82 LRYGB and 28 LAGB patients were included. Of these, 87% of LRYGB and 69% of LAGB patients believed taste is important to the enjoyment of food. More LRYGB patients (82%) than LAGB patients (46%) reported a change in the taste of food or beverages after surgery (P <.001). In addition, 92% of LAGB versus 59% of LRYGB patients characterized the change as a decrease in the intensity of taste (P <.05). Additionally, 68% of LRYGB and 67% of LAGB patients found certain foods repulsive and had developed aversions. Also, 66% of LRYGB and 70% of LAGB patients believed the taste changes were greater than expected preoperatively. Most patients (83% of LRYGB and 69% of LAGB patients) agreed that the loss of taste led to better weight loss.

Although most LRYGB and many LAGB patients experienced taste changes and food repulsion postoperatively, procedural differences were found in these taste changes. Taste changes need to be investigated further as a possible mechanism of weight loss after bariatric surgery.