Is it normal to have a loss of sense of smell and taste after surgery?

Question

I had a rhinoplasty, septoplasty, and spreader grafts 3 days ago; can breath through the nose but lost sense of smell and mainly taste. Is this normal? THANKS!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Due to swelling a lot of patients experience loss of smell after a rhinoplasty. This will return but may take a number of weeks.

Richard A. Bartlett, MD · Answer

Dear ngs05, It is very common to have a decreased or temporary loss of sense of smell and taste after nasal surgery. This is mainly due to the swelling, and should improve over time. If it continues to concern you,  you should return to your operating surgeon for an in person exam. Hope this helps!

A. Joshua Zimm, MD · Answer

After septorhinoplasty there is a significant amount of swelling of the nasal membranes resulting in congestion and temporary loss of smell and taste.  If you have any nasal packing or splints, that can make it worse.  It should resolve when the swelling diminishes.  Best wishes.

Clyde Mathison, MD · Answer

It is normal to have a good amount of swelling after a rhinoplasty, both externally and internally.  It is this swelling that is leading to a decreased ability to smell.  As smell ability goes, so does taste.  Both should return in the next few weeks.

Ivo Gwanmesia, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for question.It is not unusual to come across a patient who complains of a loss of the ability to smell. This usually settles within a few weeks .Kind regards,Ivo

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is quite common to lose the sense of smell initially after rhinoplasty. This is often due to swelling and usually gets better with time. Best of luck.

Alexander Ovchinsky, MD · Answer

What you are experiencing is absolutely normal. The smell is affected because of the swelling inside the nose after the surgery. Since more than 50% of our taste is due to smell, when smell is affected so does the taste. Just be patient, wait for the swelling to resolve and your senses will return to normal.

Is it normal to have a loss of sense of smell and taste after surgery?

Answers (7)

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