Foul Smell in Nose AFTER Sinus Surgery

[ricocsk]

I've been reading a lot of posts about "smells" in the nose, but I haven't seen anything with my particular circumstance.
Three weeks ago, I had sinus surgery. I had thickening in the frontal and maxillary sinuses, and a couple of polyps removed. Recovery was going fine until yesterday when I began to have this smell in my nose. I have a relative who has chronic bad breath. The only way I know to describe the smell is to say that it smells like my aunt's bad breath. It can be very faint, but at times will come on very strong like opening a garbage can and getting an intense wave of bad smelling stuff. I'm also getting a lot more drainage down my throat and have actually had to blow my nose more these last two days than I did the first three weeks after surgery.

I have been using saline spray numerous times a day since my surgery, so I can't figure out why I would start having these problems now.

[mutima]

Wonderful site. Had nosal polyps surgery too on 19th January and have gone through the smell issues you have all mentioned. My biggest challenge though , now is that my upper lip is hurting  alot because it was opened during the surgery. My eyes also keep tearing. The eye specialist has checked them and attributes this to the wound still recovering. Any wisdom out there?

[kinkyfatcookie]

Hi,

I just had rhinoplasty a few months back and I had the same problem too. I douche my nose after my doctor said it was ok to do so and SO MUCH gunk came out. I no longer have the smell since then!

[dizzylucy]

I had turbinate reduction and adenoidectomy surgery about 16 weeks ago.  I did very well with the surgery, almost no pain, no packing to wear home (thank goodness) and when I was checked out by my ENT 2 weeks after surgery everything looked good.  My congestion was starting to clear up recently, except at night.
Then this week, while sitting at work, I kept noticing a faint funny smell.  I thought it was something in the office.  I only really noticed it at work, but then today it was so strong I was literally crawling around under my desk, trying to track it down.  Then I went outside for a bit for work, and could still smell it, growing stronger.  Gross!  I had just started using Nasonex at the recommendation of the allergist, and wondered if that was it.  As soon as I was back inside, I looked it up, found this forum, and realized it's a side effect of the surgery.  I REALLY wish the ENT, who has been great otherwise, would have mentioned this as a possibility, so I wouldn't have been so freaked out.
The sinus rinse seems to be helping (I too had a lovely thing come out this evening) but the relief from the smell is pretty short lived, and not to be even grosser, but if you have an easy gag reflex, prepare yourself for the chance you might throw up a little.  I think I'm going to call in to the office tomorrow and ask, even though now I'm seeing this is normal, but I'm really hoping it is short lived, and that no one else can smell it!  No one else at work seemed to know what I was talking about as I was crawling around sniffling, so hopefully they don't.  

[reidkrabill]

I had a septoplasty 17 days ago and I have the foul odor off and on as well. it's associated with the dried blood and massive snot that's stuck in the sinuses. eventually it will come out. just keep using the nasal spray hourly if needed. some of the dried bloody snot boogers can be massive so prepare yourself...there's videos on youtube of patients getting cleaned out after a septoplasty. watch one of videos and you will see what's causing the smell.

[LucyEvony]

I want to know how long after surgery, you should continue to have nasal issues !!! I was told by ENT to expect issues for a long time. How long is long ? LOL

I had transphenoidal surgery 7 months ago. Every month for the last 5 months ive had a massive evacuation of the deepest green semi solid mass from my left nostril. It feels fantastic for a couple of days then starts to build up again. About 5 days before im actually able to get it to come out again i get a horrid smell and taste. Then Out it comes, im good again for the next month.

How many months do i have to put up with this ?

[AlaFlo]

I had Endioscopic sinus surgery about 3 weeks ago.  Last week I threw up small blobs of blood/tissue- which may be the dissolvable packing they put up there.  This week there is still a feeling that I have more stuck at the back of my throat, and I have waves of headaches and stiff neck.  
I called my doctor and he recommended ibroprofen and painkillers as I may have picked up a bug... Today I have a unpleasant smell coming from my nose... Any one have similar symptoms and can advise?