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Taste and Olfactory Changes Following Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy

Obesity Surgery volume 26, pages 1296–1302 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Alterations in taste/smell after bariatric surgery have been observed, but few data is available. Some authors documented these changes and their role on weight loss but there is no evidence after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Methods

Cohort study with patients submitted to laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) and LSG that were asked to participate in a validated survey. The primary objective was to determinate the differences between procedures for taste and smell changes; a demographic and anthropometric analysis were also performed. Secondarily, the relation between food aversion and weight loss was also obtained.

Results

Final analysis was based on 154 patients (104 LGBP and 50 LSG). The overall mean time between surgery and questionnaire was 10 ± 6.7 months. Most of the patients (87.6 %) experienced some taste/smell change. There were no differences between procedures for any change, taste or smell change. More patients submitted to LGBP referred that food smelled different (51.9 vs 34 % for the LSG group; p = 0.040). Higher %EWL was observed for patients presenting food aversion (73.3 ± 19.7 vs 65.8 ± 19.4 % for those without aversion; p = 0.046). Based on type of surgery, the LGBP group had the same trend (%EWL of 78.2 ± 17.3 vs 70.4 ± 18.6 % for those without aversion; p = 0.044).

Conclusion

The majority of patients presented taste and olfactory changes soon after surgery independently of type of procedure. Patients submitted to LGBP referred more often a different smell in food. Higher %EWL was observed in patients presenting any food aversion, especially in the LGBP group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Obesity Clinic at “Hospital General Tláhuac”, Avenida La Turba #655, Col. Villa Centroamericana y del Caribe, Del. Tláhuac, 13278, Mexico City, Mexico

    Carlos Zerrweck, Guillermo Álvarez, Hernán G. Maydón, Elisa M. Sepúlveda, Amaya Caviedes & Lizbeth Guilbert

  2. The Obesity Clinic at “Hospital General Dr. Rubén Leñero”, Mexico City, Mexico

    Luis Zurita & Francisco Campos

Authors
  1. Carlos Zerrweck
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  2. Luis Zurita
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  3. Guillermo Álvarez
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  4. Hernán G. Maydón
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  5. Elisa M. Sepúlveda
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  6. Francisco Campos
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  7. Amaya Caviedes
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  8. Lizbeth Guilbert
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carlos Zerrweck.

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For this type of study, formal consent is not required.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Taste and Smell Questionnaire Addapted from Tichansky et al. [12] and Graham et al. [13]

Taste and Smell Questionnaire Addapted from Tichansky et al. [12] and Graham et al. [13]

Please circle the most appropriate answer or circle the relevant number on the scale (1–10).

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Zerrweck, C., Zurita, L., Álvarez, G. et al. Taste and Olfactory Changes Following Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy. OBES SURG 26, 1296–1302 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-1944-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-1944-8

Keywords

  • Bariatric surgery
  • Smell
  • Taste
  • Olfactory
  • Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
  • Laparoscopic gastric bypass
  • Obesity