Wanted to provide updates on my experience with Dr. Bunnell. He was wonderful from the first appt. They were able to do scans in the office with immediate pictures and he was able to verify ES diagnosis and it was pushing against my esophagus. His bedside manners were great, willing to chat with me for a long as I needed, want to ensure I was comfortable. He has seen a lot of ES patients - he had at least 3 that day his nurse said. His nurse that supported him was wonderful too.
Fast forward to 5/29. I had surgery done on the left side to remove the calcified bone. He only does it through the neck for better access and visuals. Probably took 1.5 hours, a few hours in recovery, then I went home with Oxy, 600 IB Profrin, and Methylprednisolone. Day of surgery was okay - didn’t feel much because of all the meds. Day 1 post surgery, probably still had some meds running through me. Pain wasn’t horrible, but did have some swelling. Day 2 - 3 (Sunday-Monday), definitely sore and swelling. started taking Oxy at night to help with sleep. only could drink smoothies/protein shakes and really soft, small cut foods. didn’t feel great to talk more move my neck. Day 4 (today) - better than the other days but still sore, a little pressure in my ear - probably from swelling. my throat is sore, assuming its healing from where the bone was pushing against my throat. still taking all meds to help with swelling. I go back to the doctor on Friday. i definitely underestimated the post surgery process. Hasn’t been bad, but didn’t expect such a difficult time talking and eating. I’ll provide an update after my appt on Friday.
Praying for your recovery!
@Lindsay - Your first week recovery is going “by the book”. A very sore throat in the first week or two post op is usually from the breathing tube that’s put down your throat during surgery. In your case it may also be from the styloid pressing on your esophagus. Day 3-5/6 post op are when the swelling peaks so pain is generally higher on those days. Sleeping with head elevation & icing your neck for 15 min. every couple of hours can help a lot to reduce swelling & pain for the short term.
By week 2 post op, you’ll start noticing less pain & it may get easier to eat & talk as the week passes. Nerves are very slow to heal & can take up to a year or more for complete recovery, however, you should notice good improvements well before that i.e. by 6-8 weeks post op & then continuing beyond that. Symptoms can come & go & come & go as the nerve heal so don’t be alarmed if one goes away but then comes back. Taking it easy & listening to your body especially for the first couple of months after surgery is very helpful. Move back into activities by baby steps to see what your healing body is able to tolerate. Jumping in by leaps & bounds can set healing back & cause pain.
Thank you for the great report about Dr. Bunnell. We’ve had several members who’ve had ES surgeries with him & who had good outcomes so I’m hoping/expecting you will, too!
Sounds like you’re doing okay with your recovery, nothing unexpected from what we see here…I think it was about 7-10 days before I could eat comfortably after my first surgery? Good that your experience with Dr Bunnell was positive, I hope your follow-up appointment goes well, & that you see an improvement in your ES symptoms 
