Hey there, great to hear from you. The first week for me was the worst sore throat of my life. But then it just went away! I say just keep on trucking and try not to analyze too much right now. Except that you’re being asked to analyze it which is hard. So tomorrow, early morning again?
I’ll find out when they pull the tube out… and as long as I convince them that the first surgery was a success symptoms wise, but most likely first thing in the morning
It’s alot to cope with having bith sides at once, but it sounds like you’re getting improvements already so that’s great! I guess you’ll get it over & done with in one go…I had more pain opening my mouth & chewing rather than swallowing, but we’re all different & surgeons operate in different ways, but my pain did go after a week. The drain I had in was horrible too! I’m sure that it will settle soon & will be worth it in the end, I’ll be praying for you.
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My surgeon saw how much pain I was in from the inflammation, he decided not to do the second side until the first is healed, and once he can see that it has helped. I agreed with it. No point going through that much pain when I can come back when I’m healed. Currently I have noticed numbness under my jaw, hopefully that dissipates and isn’t permanent. The pain is getting bearable since taking anti-inflammatories. Stitches come out next Tuesday.
@Shanef89 I had surgery on my left side last Monday and am still numb under my chin and in my neck. My surgeon said this was temporary …about 4-6 weeks before the feeling would start to return. Good plan waiting for the second side! Hope your healing process goes smoothly.
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Hi Shane,
Fantastic to hear about the improvements you’ve already noticed!! Now imagine that for both sides & VOILA! You can see you life getting back to normal!
I’m relieved you’re waiting for your second surgery. Usually somewhere around the 3 month mark after the first surgery is the time many surgeons are willing to do the second surgery. Numbness caused by nerve irritation or damage can take a year to recover. I ended up w/ some permanent numbness along my left jaw line but it has no effect on the quality of my life. With time, I’ve forgotten it’s even there.
The sore throat can also be caused by the breathing tube that’s inserted during surgery. My throat was killer sore after my first surgery & not at all after my second. Not sure why the difference. My sore throat resolved in the first 3-4 days post op. I didn’t have a drain tube but can imagine it would be very painful. Glad yours has been removed.
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Numbness does usually go with time, although I have a couple of permanent patches, it’s better than pain though!
I’m sure it’s a disappointment to not get it all over & done with quickly but I think it’s a wise one- hopefully having one side done will make your symptoms bearable while you recover & wait for side 2. Now you can concentrate on healing, make sure you take it easy & get lots of rest.
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Good plan! Step back and take it slow. No need to rush things. Wise doctor! Take it easy 
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Shane189, Swallowing will be difficult for a time. My salivary glands went berserk because they have to salivate. It took me a month after surgery. I had to sleep sitting up on the couch for about 3 months. I did what I had to do to get through it. I walked around with a cloth to dry all the saliva being produced in my mouth.
I got through it. Take it one day at a time. At least you have had one surgery and you will start feeling better. Just look forward and get the other side done. Prayers for you.
Hadassa, Yeah the first night I couldn’t stop the salivating, which really sucked at the time because swallowing felt like I was being stabbed in the throat. Now I’m just waiting for the swelling to go away, and get the stitches out. It gets better every day. Thank you for the support!
Quick question, my neck under my jaw is still swollen, how long did it take your guys’ swelling to go down hand your neck resume it’s normal shape?
I think everyone is different - I was told 6 months to a year. It’s not quite as swollen, but it is def numb from ear to chin, above incision, including jaw bone. Sometimes it really hurts!!
My wife is not gonna like hearing that… but thanks for the info
My “puffy pouch” as I called it went down around week 8. I did some gentle massaging at week 4.
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Puffy pouch is a perfect description. I must be patient - I iterate that to myself all the day long. . .
OK, now that we have a very formal term for it (“Puffy Pouch”), can someone tell me what it is?
No idea… most likely fluid buildup… or something to do with the nerves… but that’s exactly how I describe it, as puffy…I’m planning on doing some gentle massaging once the wound is healed, as well as some neck exercises to get my muscles rehabbed. Anything that brings neurological connectivity to that area. I believe that will help me. Tomorrow I get the stitches out… did you all also get yours out 1 week after surgery?
I think many surgeons suture internally w/ dissolving stitches these days. Since you had a drain put in, you obviously have some external sutures, but I bet you also have some internal ones of the self dissolving variety. It did take 2-3 months for my incision to look fairly normal. ES surgery recovery doesn’t provide a lot of room for vanity as far as personal appearance goes. Since you’re on the younger end, I feel confident your incision will “disappear” in due time but that will require some waiting.
Thank you, hopefully I’ll look almost normal by the Time my wife comes home from her trip to Europe to compete in TaeKwonDo. She’ll be gone till almost June. I know I’ll still have the scar a lil but hopefully my puff will be practically gone.
You & your wife are quite a pair w/ your martial arts expertise. I hope she does well.
Remember that looks are only “skin deep”. It’s what’s inside you - your personality - that is enduring. Our looks fade as we age. If that’s what we base our relationships on, there isn’t solid ground to stand on especially in situations like these. I’m more & more aware of this as I get older & more wrinkly & my hair color & skin tone change…
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