Leicester, UK (BBN)-A new study found out that those who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery experience changes on their sense of smell and taste.

Researchers from the Leicester Royal Infirmary in the UK, spearheaded by Lisa Graham, gave out questionnaires to 103 patients who underwent the weight loss surgery at the University Hospitals of Leicester between 2000 and 2011.

The questions include changes on their appetite, taste, and smell, reports hngn.com.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery involves cutting out a small portion of the stomach and attaching it to the small intestine to make the stomach pouch.

This stomach pouch holds majority of the food, bypassing the duodenum, which in turn reduces fat absorption.

About 80 percent of all weight-loss surgeries done in the United States involve this procedure because of its proven weight loss average of 60 percent.

Graham's team noticed some changes on the patients who underwent the surgery, but there was no documentation, which led them to initiating the study.

"This study indicates that subjective changes in appetite, taste and smell are very common after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass," Graham said in a press release.

After tabulating the responses of the participants, they found that 97 percent of them experienced changes on their appetite; 42 percent said that the food smells different after the surgery, and 73 percent felt that the food tastes different especially on the sweet and sour palate.

Furthermore, the researchers found that 73 percent of the respondents avoid meat products including chicken, beef, sausages, ham, lamb, or bacon.

About 12 percent skipped breads, pastas, and rice, as well as dairy products.

A small number, or seven percent, stopped eating vegetables and fruits.

On a positive note, those who experienced changes in their sense of smell and taste showed more significant weight loss and decreased body mass index (BMI).

In an average, they were able to shed off 8 kilograms more, in average, than those who did not report any appetite changes.

BBN/ANS/AD/21Apr14-9:10pm (BST)