Had my left side decompression surgery two days ago, Wednesday, at 7:30 AM in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Nakaji and his team removed a good-sized piece (2cm) of the elongated styloid process that was pointed backward and up against C1, and also shaved some of C1. Recovery is in very early stages, of course, and pain during swallowing is an issue, as was expected. Hard to say if swallowing is more difficult and painful than it was after the right side was done last October, but this is definitely the main hurdle this time around. Ice packs and Tylenol have helped more, I think, than oxycodone which makes me feel edgy and kind of shaky. Soups and milk shakes are easier to swallow for now and do provide a needed soothing effect to the left side of the throat. Lack of sleep while in hospital was evened out with a solid 12 hours last night at home. As for early positive effects, I feel much less dizziness in the left side of the head and the screaming tinnitus on that side has diminished to a good degree. I did not expect tinnitus to be completely resolved, so I take this lessening as a big plus. As it is, today, I still have high-pitched bilateral tinnitus, but it is not nearly as loud as before and it is not heard throughout the whole head. I hear it now as a sort of very widely-spaced stereo mix, with tones panned to hard left and hard right, and only in the lower part of the back of my head, almost behind the ears. I’m pretty sure that this remaining tinnitus will be further minimized when I start wearing hearing aids again. For now, though, I’m keeping pain at bay and resting. Going forward, I’ll be able to say if other symptoms have improved, such as erratic digestion, but this will take some time to notice. (Vagus nerve runs alongside the IJV in the decompressed sheath and has quite a lot to do with internal organs…..respiration, digestion, etc.) Having lived with various symptoms since childhood, I feel relieved at age 69 to be putting some of these troubles to rest. Going for another milk shake now.
Glad to hear that you’re home from the surgery, hope that things continue to improve for you now that both sides are done! Good you’re getting more sleep back home too, hope that you can eat better soon…praying for healing 
@Octoberkurt So happy for you that your surgeries are behind you. I had some swallowing difficulties after my second surgery with Dr. Nakaji as well. I believe the cause was a combination of nerves being jiggled during the surgery and that he had to resect some of the swallowing muscles to free up the IJV on that side. I used myofunctional exercises to get most of my ability back (although I still have to be careful with pills). I learned the exercises when I had my tongue tie released and needed to learn how to use my tongue muscle properly. I’m certain if you google myofuctional exercises on Youtube you will find some helpful videos for strengthening your swallowing. Best wishes to you.
Thank you for this information.Today, just two days after surgery, swallowing is much improved. Want to make clear that I did expect there would be a trying time shortly after having the operation and was prepared for it. The temporary effects of a surgery such as this were actually welcomed, as I knew that they were a direct result of correcting the root cause of the Eagle condition. Dr Nakaji’s surgical team and the nursing staff at Honor Health hospital are first class. Today I get to take my first shower since surgery and that’s something I really look forward to! I’m fully committed to keeping track of where my symptoms go from here and realize that improvements may be either subtle or more easily noticeable over time. Right now, just two days afterward, there are definite improvements and I am glad to know both IJVs and nerves in the affected area are on the rebound.
It’s refreshing to read your updates & hear the optimism in them, @Octoberkurt! I’m glad you’ve already noticed improvements. You’re entering the days (3-6) of greatest post op inflammation now so stick with your Tylenol schedule & ice routine. I’m also praying for your recovery to move forward steadily & completely. 
Good news 
Thank you for sharing… sending you healing thoughts!!