Did food & liquids taste like metal for you after Whipple surgery?

@lesliepansky, good question. I pulled your post into a new discussion. Some members have talked about a metallic taste with certain chemo regimens, but you said you're not on medication or chemo. Do I have that right?

Here are some related discussions with tips from members:
- How do you eat during chemo when everything tastes bad? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-eat-during-chemo-when-everything-tastes-bad/
- If you had Whipple surgery, what are you eating or not eating?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/if-you-had-the-whipple-what-are-you-eating-or-not-eating-are-you-taki/
Leslie, when was your surgery? How is recovery going?

My whipple was Dec 11,2023 for a 8cm duodenal tumor that was benign ( very surprised ) and a 3cm pre-cancerous tumor in the head of my pancreas. No chemo, off Creon since April 2024, & metal taste is still there (times it’s so bad all I can eat is Lactose free vanilla ice cream).
I’ve tried rinses, brushing teeth, water, gum, mints..nothing gets rid of the taste. I see my surgeon (Dr Christo Galanopoulos) next Tues 12/12/24 for my 1 year follow up & I’ll ask him again what to do ? It’s horrible .. even water tastes metallic! Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Doing well otherwise except for metal taste & bilat posterior rib/ side back pain that comes & goes with certain movements ( standing too long, weight bearing, lifting , sitting) . I still feel so blessed it was not cancerous and the care I receive from surgeon, my PCP & GI Drs has been so terrific!
Any help or suggestions would be great! Thank you

Is there any chance you had Covid and took paxlovid in the past? I did at the end of 2022 and also at the beginning of 2024. Paxlovid does leave you with a metallic taste in your mouth. Maybe for some this sensation lasts?

Had Covid weeks before my surgery, did not take Paxlovid.

Metal taste came after surgery

Metallic Taste

TASTE CHANGES
Use plastic or wooden cutlery
Sweeten foods that taste salty
Add salt, vinegar, lemon juice to overly sweet foods (if no mouth sores)
Marinate meat in fruit juices
Add spices and herbs to food
Lemon candies between meals
Keep mouth clean (non-alcohol rinse)
.
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/eating-problems/taste-smell-changes.html
.
https://www.whatnext.com/blog/posts/15-ways-to-battle-metallic-taste-from-chemo