I had an Intra-oral styloidectomy with Dr. Schindler today

Symptoms and Treatments
1

After doing a lot of research and asking Dr. Schindler a variety of questions over multiple zoom meetings I decided that the intraoral method seemed like the best option for my specific case. I disnt have to get my tonsils removed.

I was just released from post-op about an hour ago and am on the drive home from portland.

Immediately after waking up the pain in my throat was probably like a 5. Over the course of about 30 minutes I could feel the swelling setting in and rhe pain became morenlike a 7 or 8. My ears feel like they need to pop, and swallowing is painful and uncomfortable. Turning my head much or opening my mouth too far is pretty uncomfortable.

Overall I can speak well and feel pretty good but sometimes it is easier to spit than swallow. The stiches feel like they are choking me a bit when they poke the back of my tongue.

Im prepared for the next couple days to be worse but overall I am optimistic and looking forward to being a few days in the future and able to enjoy eating, but about an hour afted leaving I would say the pain is probably closer to what I was feeling before rhe surgery - at least while I am on pain meds, but I am prepared for it to get worse. I am definitely going to try to stay ahead of the pain with painkillers.

I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks a bunch to everyone on this thread that helped me learn to self advocate, and a special thanks to @Jules and @Isaiah_40_31 for so much guidennce along the way.

20240903_140100
20240903_1401001704×1629 334 KB

Ps: styloid was 37mm and he removed 18mm. I’ll post a photo of the styloid that was removed when the Dr uploads it.

2 Likes
2

Document
Document1920×2560 649 KB

Removed 18mm of what he approximated to be a 37mm long styloid.

2 Likes
3

@Kiriez - Thank you for the update. Your throat does look very sore & swollen. A nice chunk of styloid was removed.

Our members who’ve had intraoral surgery have found sucking on ice chips, popsicles or frozen juice cubes/chips was very helpful since you can’t put an ice pack on your throat. If your swelling & pain become too intense, please request a course of prednisone. Prednisone was a life saver for me post op after each surgery. I think I had a 10 day course each time. Also, remember to sleep w/ your head very elevated at night for the first week post op as that also helps reduce swelling.

Finally, get yourself started on a stool softener & laxative tomorrow if you didn’t start today as the pain meds will cause constipation & it’s best to avoid that if at all possible.

Please keep up updated as to how you’re doing. I hope once you’re recovered that your ES symptoms go away & you feel like your healthy self again. :hugs: :pray:

2 Likes
4

I hope that you heal soon, take care of yourself and will pray that the surgery is successful for you, it’s a good chunk removed ! :pray:

1 Like
5

My doc did intraoral for my left side and showed me a picture of a 2 cm styloid - he had told me he went all the way to base. I asked where the other two cm were - he said they were in fragments he had to pull out - you may ask on your followup

2 Likes