# Post Op Day 1 **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [October 29, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793 "2026-10-29T16:08:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lsheep](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/lsheep/32/14121_2.png) [@lsheep](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lsheep)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/1 "2026-10-29T16:08:29Z")
I had my right styloidectomy and wanted share my first 24 hour experiences so far. I will probably continue to update this thread as a make progress mainly so I can remember this whole journey šŸ™‚ . I had surgery yesterday morning with Dr. Brown and his awesome team through St Lukeā€™s. My nurses and aids were all amazing and I got to go home a few hours after the procedure. Here is my procedure notes: A 4cm incision was marked 2cm inferior to the right mandibular angle, just anterior to the anterior border of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle. Local anesthesia in the form of 1% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:100,000 was injected. Patient was then prepped and draped in usual sterile fashion. A 15 blade was used to incise through the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and platysma. With blunt dissection, the right marginal mandibular nerve was identified and preserved, found to be stimulating well. The anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was skeletonized. Superiorly, the posterior belly of the digastric muscle was found and traced anteriorly towards the hyoid bone. Finger palpation superiorly revealed the styloid process. Blunt dissection with peanut and Freer was used to carefully free the styloid process from surrounding tissues. A 2mm Kerrison rongeur was used to make serial bites to remove the styloid process until only a small stump remains at the skull base. The wound was closed in multilayer fashion. 3-0 Vicryl in interrupted fashion for platysma and subcutaneous tissues. 4-0 Monocryl for subcuticular running for skin closure, followed by Mastisol and Steri-strips.ā€ I woke up with zero ear pain post opā€¦ which I have had for three years and it hasnā€™t returned! Only ear fullness due to the swelling. I donā€™t have too sore of a throat due to them using nasotracheal intubation. When I swallow that horrible fishbone feeling is gone which is such a relief. I do have numbness along my right jawline that also is in my right upper and lower lip. Not too big a deal, just using a straw for everything at the moment. Waking up from surgery, I did feel somewhat nauseas but they quickly took care of it with some Zofran in my IV and it didnā€™t return. Sleeping upright is definitely a challenge as I am a stomach sleeper. Overall, my pain hasnā€™t been too bad and it is well controlled by Advil and Tylenol. Not doing too much which has been very strange for me! My toddler (3.5) was a little distressed about looking at my ā€œbig bandageā€ but thankfully that didnā€™t last too long. My husband has handled everything for me which is nice! I had the sweetest nurse who came in and was like ā€œI have never heard of Eagles and I have been reading about it. I am kinda excited to see your procedure today!ā€ šŸ˜‚ We chatted about it for a little bit and it made me feel a little less nervous. It is a teaching hospital so two other doctors were in the OR in addition to my care team which I love that they can hopefully learn the surgery and be aware of Eagles too! ---
**Author:** ![MGORNEAU](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@MGORNEAU](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/MGORNEAU)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/2 "2026-10-29T16:29:15Z")
@lsheep So good to hear you are recovering well and already have some symptom relief! Rest up and I look forward to future updates! ā¤ ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/3 "2026-10-29T16:59:17Z")
Thatā€™s fantastic news, seeing some symptoms disappear already, and Iā€™m glad that youā€™re not in too much pain! I donā€™t want to be a Debbie downer, but you may find these symptoms flare up again as nerves heal, Iā€™m sure youā€™ve read about the ups & downs of recovery from surgery, just so youā€™re prepared ā€¦ Good youā€™re being looked after, itā€™s not easy with a little one but rest as much possibleā€¦ Has Dr Brown done many surgeries do you know? I donā€™t think heā€™s on our listā€¦ Hugs and prayers for a speedy recovery , and thanks for updating us, have been thinking of you šŸ¤— šŸ™ šŸ’ ---
**Author:** ![lsheep](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/lsheep/32/14121_2.png) [@lsheep](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lsheep)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/4 "2026-10-29T17:02:31Z")
Thank you!! I learned so much from you all here! ---
**Author:** ![lsheep](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/lsheep/32/14121_2.png) [@lsheep](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lsheep)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/5 "2026-10-29T17:56:21Z")
Oh yes I am definitely expecting lots of ups and downs over the next couple or weeks and months! Thank you for being so supportive along this journey @Jules ā¤. I am not sure of the exact number of surgeries, but I know he has done several Eagles patients just between last year and this year šŸ™‚ just from my conversations with him. ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/6 "2026-10-29T18:36:25Z")
No rush to reply as youā€™re recovering, but is this him? If so, Iā€™ll pop him on our list: [Dr. David M. Brown, MD | Bethlehem, PA | ENT-Otolaryngologist | US News Doctors](https://health.usnews.com/doctors/david-brown-674266) ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 3:05am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/7 "2026-10-30T03:05:32Z")
@Jules - Dr. Brown is already on our Doctors List. He was put on there a while ago when someone reported that he did styloidectomies transcervically getting as close to the skull base as possible. Whoever it was didnā€™t end up having surgery with him, but I changed the info on the Doctors List to now read that one of our members had successful surgery which he did. šŸ˜Š ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/8 "2026-10-30T18:04:30Z")
Thank you I didnā€™t see his name there šŸ¤¦ā€ā™€ļø ---
**Author:** ![lsheep](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/lsheep/32/14121_2.png) [@lsheep](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lsheep)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/9 "2026-11-02T18:22:06Z")
Post Op Day 5 Starting on Day 2, I had noticed more swelling and that continued into Day 3. During Day 2, I still felt fuzzy from the anesthesia but that seemed to go away throughout the day. Jaw was way too sore to eat solids and with the swelling I have stuck to a liquid / smoothie / blended soups diet. Day 3 was a tough day. Swelling was uncomfortable, and I have developed some bruising in the front of my neck. Not surprised about the bruising, I have sensitive skin. Itā€™s just a yellow color for now and no associated swelling further down or anything concerning. Just overall didnā€™t feel well and perhaps had some a little too much Day 2 and it caught up with me. Day 4 - I was able to get up more and less swelling. Got outside for my walks as we are having some beautiful weather and fall colors here in PA this year. I think the walks helped me a lot. I was even able to read a book I picked up and use my computer for a little. Day 5 - Feeling good today, less swelling and my ear is draining so there no longer a weird echo in my own head. So far, ear pain hasnā€™t returned and overall my neck is pretty comfortable given the circumstances. My steri strips are pretty secure so I havenā€™t seen my incision yet. Bruising that goes down my neck is fading. My eye is still abit strange but I think thatā€™s from the nerve being stunned and the swelling. Feeling is back in my lips, but along my jaw is still numb. This doesnā€™t really bother me. I am still using ice on the regular but not in any pain. I do feel a huge difference when I swallow. Itā€™s way more comfortable than before and the pinching feeling I would feel deep in the back of my throat is gone. I have been able to sleep on my non surgery side (while propped up) the last two days and that has helped me get longer stretches of better sleep. Overall, doing well! ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 9:30pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/10 "2026-11-02T21:30:19Z")
Thank you so much for your thorough update, @lsheep! Iā€™m really glad youā€™re noticing improvements bit by bit. I recall my jaw was sore enough that chewing was a no go for a couple of weeks post op but hopefully yours will feel better sooner. I found that the way my nerves healed, a lingering symptom would disappear so gradually that one day I would notice it was gone & didnā€™t even know when exactly it had disappeared. šŸ˜‚ It sounds like youā€™re doing all the right things to help your healing move forward. Itā€™s great to know you have no specific pain. I hope it stays that way. šŸ™ šŸ’ ---
**Author:** ![lsheep](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/lsheep/32/14121_2.png) [@lsheep](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lsheep)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/11 "2026-11-02T23:24:33Z")
Oh yes, itā€™s so sore šŸ˜‚. I have to credit all of you on the forum, but I felt so prepared because of all the information here! ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/12 "2026-11-03T14:43:44Z")
Iā€™m glad that youā€™re seeing improvements, great that the swallowing is feeling more comfortable, and youā€™ve had a bit more sleepā€¦Itā€™s so helpful when members detail their recoveries šŸ˜€ Praying that your recovery continues well šŸ™ šŸ¤— ---
**Author:** ![Chrickychricky](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/chrickychricky/32/15581_2.png) [@Chrickychricky](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Chrickychricky)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 2:08pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/13 "2026-11-04T14:08:09Z")
@lsheep So glad that you are doing well. Most of the symptoms related to surgical nerve irritation faded over a month or so. 2 years post-op I still have a little numbness under my left jaw and down into the neck a little. Dr. Nakaji told me he had to do a lot of surgical retraction to get into the space and so I think those nerves got damaged. That being said they are still continuing to improve over time and it doesnā€™t cause any functional problems, just a bit of an odd sensation. ---
**Author:** ![lsheep](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/lsheep/32/14121_2.png) [@lsheep](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lsheep)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/post-op-day-1/24793/14 "2026-11-04T17:41:19Z")
That is great to know - and yes itā€™s such a funny feeling. I catch myself touching my lower jawline to make sure itā€™s still there lol. Day 6 and 7 have been much better. Swelling noticeably down and I could eat mashed potatoā€™s both days. I even was able to get out and vote last night.