Thank you SO very much. I will update from “the other side”! Dr. Omlie just called me to see if I had any questions. I think that’s fantastic that he’d do that.
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You are in good hands! Try to get some rest tonight. Best wishes!
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May the 4th be with you!!
Meant to log on earlier but my symptoms were bad. I’ll be thinking of you!!
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Many prayers for you and the hospital staff. I hope it goes well and eases your pain. What kind of Dr is doing your surgery and do both sides of your neck have Eagles? I was only diagnosed on the one side and I’m not sure if I should have the other one looked at. Thank you
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Kbrowning, thank you so very much. I so appreciate & welcome the kind thoughts!
I am bilateral and at this point am only symptomatic on the left side. This was diagnosed via CT scan so if you’ve had a CT, it can easily be reviewed by radiology to look at your other side.
I have more classic symptoms vs vascular. Constant burning throat & tongue, lateral neck pain/ tension, ear fullness, one-sided sore throat and soreness in the tonsil area.
I’m having my surgery done by Dr. Omlie, a vascular surgeon in MN whose experienced with ES, is on the specialist list in this forum and has treated a couple forum members.
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Hi Tjmhawk01,
Sending you best thoughts for your surgery. Keep on thinking positive and don’t worry about the excitement before the procedure. It is also good and pushes your body’s defence systems.
Hope that everything runs smoothly for you with less pain and a lot of improvement.
Best wishes from Germany 
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Yes! Looking forward to my little “happy nappy” and waking when it’s all over! Thank you for all the support you’ve given. 
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Will update soon!
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Oh my word, thank you!! 4 hrs to go! 
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Thinking and praying for you !! Can’t wait for you to have this behind you!
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Feel free to tag me on your thread, and I would be happy to reply. I also have a long thread with updates and experience, but sometimes that can be overwhelming to read.
Surgery went well. It took a bit to get me into a room but I’m here. Dr. Omlie is just a great person, as is all the staff here at MHealth.
My throat is a bit sore and dry both on the right from nasal intubation and the left from all the work done. My jaw is mildly sore/stiff but I can open, puff my cheeks, an move my tongue just fine- this on top of the expected numbness which as of now is more than I was prepared for, but still not unexpected.
It’s challenging for me to tell how my symptoms are. Im sure the numbness hinders the feeling of ear fullness, I’m still feeling a tingling tongue/throat and obviously, neck pain. But let’s be realistic, I’m 4ish hrs post op where they were rooting around in my neck so I’m guessing nerves are wonky and there’s a bit of swelling, all contributing factors.
Im waiting to see what pain meds I’m on so I can better gauge how much they’re masking/controlling my symptoms. As I was advised here, my styloid was indeed longer than originally thought at about 4cm. And my incision is spectacular! Not nearly what I was expecting!
I am eternally grateful for the support and cheerleaders as I pushed through this. I’m still cautiously optimistic so we’ll see what the coming days provide. Hopefully I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
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Yay!! So glad to hear from you!!! Look at that nasty booger! Yuck! Glad for you to have that out of you! Get some good rest and look forward to your fast healing and updates on how much better you are feeling as you heal! The incision looks amazing! How long did the surgery end up taking?
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I was told about an hour and a half. But I spent extra time I’m recovery while awaiting a room. So it felt like forever 
I’m already starting to show the same gorgeous colors of bruising that @naturelover had. And yeah, the swelling isn’t fun. But we’ll get there! And I’ve never been more excited to have chicken broth for dinner, lol!
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Everything you described is normal feelings to have before something life changing like this. How are you feeling now? I hope everything went well and you are resting comfortably. If he didn’t order one, you can ask for an ice pack to go along your jaw/incision to help with pain and swelling.
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GNARLY!! That’s the best word to describe your styloid. YOWCH!!
Your incision looks amazing. It may swell some over the next few days but be assured it will disappear w/ time. You were amazingly articulate so soon after surgery. Thank you for updating us. As @Ddmarie said, get some good rest (hard to do in the hospital, but once you get home for sure!). Resting is the best course of action for the quickest recovery.
Definitely ask for icepacks as @anharris said, if they haven’t been offered. Ice will become your very good friend over the next week!!
I hope your well taken care of in the hospital & are able to go home soon.
(That’s a gentle hug!)
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@anharris @Isaiah_40_31 , I’m doing as expected- not super comfortable but better than I was at noon, thank you for asking. Tons of ice! Had my last dose of narcotic pain meds 3hrs ago and trying Tylenol as primary pain control. I’m not trying to be a Super Hero but don’t want the narcotics either if I can avoid it.
I was surprised that Dr Omlie put my styloid in a container….to take home…lol! My kiddos will appreciate that (sarcasticly stated) 
He also sent my husband actual surgery photos. I’ll refrain from sharing them here because they’re a tad graphic unless someone would like me to email to share them. Not much to see but I suppose it’s interesting.
I need to just remind myself that this isn’t a sprint and I’m no spring chicken anymore so healing will need patience.
In case anyone cares to see the difference where swelling is concerned in addition to incision, here’s a couple pics 8 hrs post op, also kind of a visual of where all I personally am feeling numb - the way I see it, I wanted to see as much as I could. Surely others may too
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Hi naturelover- Thanks for the response. I think i did see that i will check again. I actually do have a upcoming appointment with him may 19,2022. I was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and eagles syndrome at the same time by Dr.Cha Neurotoligist Fairview clinic on Feburary 3, 2022. I do have some compression of bilateral internal jugular veins at the skull base.My stylopids measured 5.9 cm bilaterally. Woke up in the middle of the night December 3,2020 with mouth and tongue numbness. 2 weeks later developed hyperacusis in both ears. Have chronic neck pain. She tell that my case is unusual do to not having vertigo. Also having facial numbness. It took a while to convince her to setup appointment with the surgeon. Tried physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, medication etc. to no avail. My hearing is sensative I get servere facial pain with any loud noises. have to wear ear plugs and cotton balls in my ears when doing certain thigs and when the grandchildren are over visiting. It has been extremely debilitating. Also having increased blood pressure and GI problems as well. looking forward this appointment. I really appreciate your information about everything including the Doctor info. Have you recovered completely from your surgery ?
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You really look good, Tjmhawk! From what I can see, it appears only the area around your incision is swelling at the moment. I had half of a double chin by the end of my first day post op. It looked really weird - kind of like the waddle on a turkey only it was just under the right side. 
That didn’t happen when my left styloid was removed 9 mos later.
I hope Tylenol helps. Just bear in mind that you are in the anesthesia “honeymoon” period today through tomorrow or Fri. Then things can get more uncomfy for a few days. Keep those narcotic pain meds handy for that period as letting pain get ahead of what the pain meds can handle is no fun (been there & done that). It can take some time for pain meds to get back on top of the pain if that happens.
Your facial numbness may last some months & you may experience burning, prickling, sensations of cold/warmth, shooting pain, etc., as the nerves begin to wake back up. Hopefully whatever happens, it’s mild. I have a section along my jawline that didn’t fully come back but I don’t notice it at all now.
Just keep expecting the best possible outcome & to really exercise patience w/ your body over the next many months, & you’ll do GREAT!!
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So happy for you!!
That’s awesome- keep us posted!
I see Omlie tomorrow- my PCP has already told me he will be recommending surgery so it’s just a matter of when.
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