@Isaiah_40_31 Septoplasty went well!! Honestly, not feeling too bad and can still breathe through my nose with the splints in. Have all the post-op stuff to do, splints out in 6 days, and another follow up in 3 weeks. Can eat and drink just fine! Looking forward to breathing so much better through my nose. My Dr is very thorough and and high quality, I’m glad I was recommended to her
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Thank you for the update, @Andy89316! That’s such great news! A good early Christmas present for you!! Being able to breathe through your nose w/ splints in is pretty remarkable! I’m sure that also makes eating & drinking feel more normal than it does w/ a totally plugged nose.
Was your nose broken in the past or were you born w/ your septum in a position that needed correction? Regardless, I’m glad it’s done & you’re on the mend. That’s one more step toward “normal”!
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I say breathing, but its so awkward because its noisy and its not the full amount of air cuz the splints are in the way, so mostly mouth breathing or a combination, but splints are out on 12/20!! Never officially broken, but definitely took plenty of knocks to the face as a kid via sports.
@Jules . I have R side surgery scheduled for 1/27 with Coughlin again, luckily like 7:30 am surgery time! So 6 weeks to heal for Septo, then hopefully final surgery!! Hoping to get back to work on 3/10 so I don’t have to roll into long term disability, not the worse thing, but extra paperwork and such…if it goes like the first I don’t see any issue returning to work at that time and basically being ‘‘normal’’ for the first time in my adult life!!!
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So pleased that you don’t feel too rough after the septoplasty! And the 2nd ES surgery all arranged, hope you’re all healed and ready for that, to look forward to being cured in the New Year is great!
Best wishes for healing 
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Got it. My nose is noisy w/o splints. One side whistles. Drives my son nuts. I had a turbinate reduction a few years back to see if that would make a difference, but it didn’t. Thankfully, it doesn’t whistle all the time, maybe it just waits till I’m near my son. 
I’m glad you have your second ES surgery coming up soon, too. Getting the first spot in the morning is the BEST!! Hoping it goes as well & as easily for you as the first surgery did!!
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I’m sorry it didn’t work. I am imagining the whistle only happening when he is around… . I’m mostly use to the ‘more air’ now. Its a big mental change.
@Jules Just 1 more week til surgery. I’ve come to realize how much ES is impacting me; its kinda awkard between surgeries. Left side is very comfortable now and the R hurts all the time, mostly my SCM and down into my shoulder. I’ve had this routine for years of my face itching/hurting in the same spots and I’m just now realizing its right where the facial nerves go, which are probably irritated by the styloid. Excited, and a healthy amount of nervous of course, to get this R side out. I’m confident in Dr. Coughlin. The left side scar is healing very well and the numbness is getting less frequent and smaller in size. I did start taking B vitamins and will start again after surgery.
I will of course update a few days after surgery and I have it on my calendar to update every 3 months after
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Exciting that your second surgery is coming up soon, @Andy89316! Also good job finding that your current symptoms follow the path of your facial nerve. That’s super interesting. I’ll put your surgery date on my calendar (assuming it’s next Mon., 1/27) so I can pray for you then. I look forward to your post op updates. It’s great to get more positive input about Dr. Coughlin. Thank you for that.
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Waiting for surgery is so frustrating, glad yours will soon be over and done with & you can get on with healing & enjoying the rest of your life! Praying all goes well and that the nerve issues heal
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@Isaiah_40_31 @Jules Surgery went well. Feeling pretty good, just incision site pain. Will do a more complete update tomorrow
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Thank you for the quick update, @Andy89316. I’m glad your surgery went well & your pain is tolerable. You’ll potentially be starting into the day 3 post op swelling increase tomorrow through Fri. so take it easy & keep the ice coming. Pain meds, too, if you need them. Dont’ forget that head elevation when sleeping will also help at this time.
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Thanks @Andy89316 , thinking of you
@Andy89316 I know ice has been an issue for some people but it did wonders for me. Hope you are doing well.
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@Jules @Chrickychricky Thank you very much for the tips and well wishes.
Here is a link to the scar from Nov and the current incision. The scar can be pretty red at times, but it will fade. He was able to do basically the same on the R side, along a natural fold. Scar and Incision - Album on Imgur
Surgery was at 7:30 am. The staff at Methodist was great again and I had the same pre-op nurse, she is awesome. I spoke with anesthesia beforehand and since it took me a while to wake-up last time they made some small changes, and no Scopolamine patch this time. Woke up much quicker and not nearly as groggy. I also spoke with a resident Dr that would be assisting; hopefully he takes an interest in treating ES in the future. Spoke with Dr. Coughlin of course, he was in a good mood and seemed confident of basically doing the same that he did on the left, remove as much possible. Got wheeled to the room, which is always interesting, and was able to jokingly ask if they could tattoo some fake freckles for me while I was asleep!!
Dr. Coughlin spoke with my mom after the procedure and said he was able to remove 4+cm (I’m awaiting the photo) and it went well overall. I self measured the right styloid at 4.5 cm, so this was great news!! I can pretty much already tell the surgery was effective. No major complications either! My right SCM and shoulder, which had been terribly tight and sore all the time, is loose and comfortable now like the left. I feel I can hold my head comfortable now and don’t feel pain if I need to tense my neck some to stabilize. I used to dread looking down, sideways, or up; but my range of motion is much fuller and comfortable. My posture was always compensating to try and get away from the pain, but I think soon I’ll be able to have good posture pain free.
I still need to wait on the swelling and breathing tube irritation to subside a little before assessing my swallow fully, but I’m confident it will be better too. Been alternating Advil and Ibuprofen throughout the day and icing for 20 min 3x a day. Sleeping quite inclined or so for the first 1-2 weeks to reduce swelling.
I’m very excited about getting through the next few weeks and really getting use to this new ‘normal’. Some results will take time, but the lack of daily pain really improves my quality of life! I’d say one result I may need to wait on some is eustachian tube dysfunction; it has improved quite a lot since my left side was removed and my septoplasty last months, but still a little ways to go. Hoping the tinnitus also goes away. Come March, I plan to really focus on taking care of myself; which I’ve attempted in the past, but pain always made me give up. Focus on eating a nutritional diet, staying active, being happy, etc.!!! Its been a long road, but now I’m on the exit ramp and can go where I want!
I will probably do an update around the 30 day mark and then at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 month mark. I am so grateful for this forum and everyone that volunteers. Thank you, and I will always have a special place in my heart for Bens Friends, Isaiah, and Jules.
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Your scar looks great!
I’m so pleased for you that a pretty big chunk of styloid was removed, and that you’re seeing improvements already! Such good news…I’m sure your quality of life will improve lots now that you progressing so well. Keep healing
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Thank you for your very upbeat update, @Andy89316. I agree your scar looks pretty amazing & it’s already disappearing into your neck crease. Your incision also looks very good for being so soon after surgery. You’re doing all the right things to keep yourself as comfy as possible in the first couple of weeks post op.
I’ll look forward to your next update & hope to hear you’ve had some early, fun adventures as you head down that exit ramp.
We’re so glad we could be here for you!
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@Jules Gonna do my 30 day update a little early. Mostly doing very well. The mental change in having so much more freedom is pretty amazing. I can look around everywhere, keep my head stabilized pain free, and just not be stressed about the symptoms ES was causing! There is a lot more joy, less unhappiness, and more emotional stability. No real major issues I’m concerned about. The numbness needs a few more weeks and the scars are looking fine. Looking forward to getting use to all these changes over the next few months and excited for the possibilities!! Next update at the 3 month mark
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@Andy89316 - Ease into your activities a bit at a time. It’s easy to overdo once you feel better & that can cause a setback into pain which you don’t want.
I’m glad you’re feeling so much better in every way!
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So pleased for you! Really good news and hope things keep on improving
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@Andy89316 Such great news!
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3 month update. Overall, doing well and making overall health progress. I am working through some other, minor, health issues. Eustachian Tube issues, seasonal allergies, and Costochondritis. I’ve also lived with anxiety and stress for a very long time…so that will take time. I have a great ENT for the ear issues and a great PT for the Costo. But, I can recognize that a lot is so much better compared to the past. It will take some time and conscious effort to re-work all the muscle memory and thought patterns. Have some awesome future plans and so much more seems achievable now!! Work is going very well and I’m feeling connected to folks more than ever.
Focusing on the ES. I am talking more than I have in 20 years. My voice is getting stronger and most importantly (emotionally) staying consistent throughout the day; no random weakness and I can project without pain! I’ve also been looking around so dang much. I’m able to walk and just look wherever I want or need to and NOT have to process pain at the same time. With all the changes I’ve had over the past 2 years I’m talking with a therapist about identity, self-esteem, etc. I feel this is very helpful, especially if your support system is not great and doesn’t take your issues seriously.
The only lingering small negative I still have is some numbness, but I only experience it when touching the areas. Compared with dramatic daily pain though…its nothing!! On my R side its near the jawline and maybe just an inch or so. The L side is kinda interesting…if I go right above my left clavicle in the middle of my neck and and pull the skin down a little I get a strongish numb reaction in the scar area. I am taking B vitamins daily to help my nerves recover, but I know it will take time. Here are photos of the scars. I use sunscreen in general, but am not hiding them from the sun. The L (2nd pic) is almost completely faded and the R (1st pic) still has some redness. The 3rd photo is the spot I’m referencing. **Click the photo to see all 3 on Imgur
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