Desire for Core Tastes Decreases After Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Single-Center Longitudinal Observational Study with 6-Month Follow-up

Introduction Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) modifies gastrointestinal substances that control hunger and satiation via the brain-gut axis. A potential mechanism implicated in weight loss is the shift in food preferences. Our aim was to assess changes in taste preferences and their relationship to weight loss. Methods This is a prospective longitudinal observational study in 100 consecutive LSG patients. Questionnaire with photographs of tastes was administered before surgery, at postoperative (PO) day 6 and PO month 6. Participants asked to rate each item in terms of desire to consume on a 5-point Likert scale. Results Preoperative demographics are as follows: 77 women/23 men, mean age 40.8 ± 12 years, and mean BMI 42.46 ± 6.7 kg/m 2 . Mean 6-month PO % total body weight loss (%TBWL): 24 ± 6.2%. Preferences for bitter, salty, umami, fatty, sour, spicy, and sweet decreased significantly from baseline to PO day 6 ( p