Hi,
4 days post op styloidectomy - incision in front of ear; no prior oral symptoms, mine were vascular. Was feeling pretty good, but now have what feels like a mucus pocket in the back of my throat. Of course concerned about swelling. Any suggestions besides warm water with honey, gargling with salt water. Left eye (side of the styloidectomy) blinks much slower than the right and doesn’t close all the way. From this site and the doctor, it may take a bit for that to return.
Thanks!
@Meghan3 - I’m so glad your surgery is behind you. The first week post op is pretty miserable. You’re in the midst of the days where post op swelling is the worst but it sounds like you’re on top of dealing with your symptoms (ice & head elevation help A LOT!). You could try sucking on ice chips/popsicles to see if that helps your throat at all. I know that sounds like the opposite of what could soothe the mucus pocket sensation, but I think it’s worth a try. We’ve had other members who’ve had excess mucus post op. It may just be your body’s protective reaction to the breathing tube that was in your throat during surgery & should start going away w/in the next few days.
Your slow eye blink/non-full closure is related to your facial nerve being irritated during surgery. We’ve had past members who’ve had that problem & who have mentioned using an ointment or drops in their eye to keep it lubricated until the full eyelid mobility returned. You might want to look into something like that. It may take a month or so for your normal eyelid movement to come back online.
I’m glad that surgery is done! I agree with @Isaiah_40_31 , would just add that I think I remember some members mentioning that dairy products seem to increase mucous, so maybe it’s worth avoiding dairy for a bit & to see if that makes any difference?
Take care of yourself while you’re healing, and hope that your eyelid returns to normal soon 
