Learning about options

Not being able to open your mouth wide is pretty common after surgery, I think mine lasted a week to 10 days , it usually resolves soon :folded_hands: :folded_hands:

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Now 12 days post-op, quick update: Pain seems to be reducing, I took a day off from Tylenol and did fine, but developed a bad headache so I’m back on until it goes away. Still have quite a bit of swelling in my neck and cheek areas. Cheek seems to be improving faster than my neck. All the glue flaked off of my incision which made the incision look smaller and better (there was a bunch of blood caught in the glue so the incision looked kinda black and the glue was thick so the whole thing looked bigger). My symptoms haven’t improved yet, keeping my fingers crossed on that. Bottom lip still pretty paralyzed on the right side. Overall I’m functional though. Jaw pain diminished so I can eat regular food, just need to use my hand to hold my right lip away from my teeth! Follow up with Dr. Nakaji early this coming week.

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@RickAZ - Thank you for your update. Good news that your pain is reducing & you can eat more normally now. Inflammation usually takes 4-8 weeks to subside substantially & as swelling reduces, symptoms often begin to reduce/disappear - that will include your funky lower lip. Sometimes a lip droop/facial nerve takes more like 4-6 months to fully recover, but they usually do recover fully.

Please let us know how your appointment w/ Dr. Nakaji goes. I hope he’s happy with where you are in your recovery process. :blush:

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Sorry that your ES symptoms haven’t diminished yet, hopefully soon, if you’re still quite swollen that won’t be helping… This info that @premedmom posted might be helpful once the wound has healed:
How to do Lymphatic Self-Massage on Your Face, Head and Neck
Good your pain’s reducing, praying that things improve :folded_hands:

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Appreciate you sharing your experience an I hope you are on your way to feeling better so soon!

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