Question:
When did your sense of smell return to normal, or near-normal, post-op?

Hello..I have asked my MD the cause of my drastically altered sense of smell, which has left me unable to tell if food is spoiled, unable to smell many common things, or has left them unrecognizable, or even offensive. ...MY MD says it is the cut VAGUS nerve (which is involved with smell, and runs the length of the abdomen and is cut or cut around--scarred, bruised--- in gastric surgery)and "should regenerate eventually". As a nurse I was always taught that the majority of damage to nerves will heal in about 6 months, if it is ever going to heal at all. Well, I am 4 months out from surgery and no improvement yet, although bad smells are either less overwhelming now, or I'm getting used to them finally. PLEASE TELL ME WHEN your sense of smell returned to normal, if you had this problem (not JUST the usual week or two of funny smells after any general anesthesia), and whether it was gradual or abrupt, partial or complete healing. I can't stand the suspense--my sense of smell means too much to me! But I don't want false hope, either, so if you never returned to normal, I want to hear that, too.---Thank You, Jesse    — Jesse M. (posted on May 18, 2001)

May 21, 2001
My sense of smell was affected as well. I don't know if it was because of the surgery itself, or the anesthesia. Either way, I was extremely sensitive to odors - especially food. Nothing smelled good, and nothing tasted good. That started to decrease at about 5 weeks post-op. I'm now 8 weeks post-op, and my sense of smell seems to be back to normal.
   — Shannon M.

May 21, 2001
Jesse, about one month post-op, the smell of ketchup nearly made me wretch. I'm 10 months post-op now and and the latest nauseau-inducing odor is hot dogs...makes me want to puke just thinking about 'em. I don't know about the vagus connection, but this smell thing seem to be cyclical. Good luck!
   — Allie B.