# Recovery from unilateral styloid removal with C1 shave

**URL:** <https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/recovery-from-unilateral-styloid-removal-with-c1-shave/23605>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [July 11, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/recovery-from-unilateral-styloid-removal-with-c1-shave/23605 "2026-07-11T14:29:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SouthernBuckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@SouthernBuckeye](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/SouthernBuckeye)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/recovery-from-unilateral-styloid-removal-with-c1-shave/23605/1 "2026-07-11T14:29:51Z")

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I understand that the full scope of symptom improvement takes many many months. My question is, in general, how long until I can go back to work (essentially a desk job) after unilateral styloidectomy with C1 shave (Fargen). I understand that everyone heals differently, but is 2 weeks, 3 weeks, even 4 weeks needed to be able to return to a very low impact job?

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**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:** [July 11, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/recovery-from-unilateral-styloid-removal-with-c1-shave/23605/2 "2026-07-11T15:02:32Z")

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For normal styloidectomy, 2 weeks can be enough, but for bilateral & a C1 shave, personally I’d opt for the 4 weeks if that’s possible with your job? Even with a desk job, your posture might not be ideal, & I’d think it would be a strain on your neck if you’re sitting at a screen for a long time. Also some members have found talking is uncomfortable after surgery, so if you do much talking for work that might be difficult? Also I wasn’t able to drive for 3 weeks or so as I couldn’t turn my head very well, so that’s something to consider unless you’re WFH…  
Otherwise you could see if you could go back part time initially?

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**Author:** ![SouthernBuckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@SouthernBuckeye](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/SouthernBuckeye)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/recovery-from-unilateral-styloid-removal-with-c1-shave/23605/3 "2026-07-11T15:08:15Z")

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I’m a NP (outpatient cardiology), so yes I’d have to talk to patients 😆 . I have an adjustable desk, so I can sit or stand depending on how I feel. I am putting in for accommodations to come back with a lower patient load to start. I am putting in for short term disability, but that kicks in after 4 weeks. I have 5 weeks of PTO saved up, but don’t want to burn it all in case I have the right side done in the coming months (Hackman).

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**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:** [July 11, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/recovery-from-unilateral-styloid-removal-with-c1-shave/23605/4 "2026-07-11T15:11:53Z")

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Sorry, I mis-read your post & thought that you said bilateral! It’ll be good to have a smaller caseload for a few weeks… I had each side done separately and no C1 shave, I was just doing voluntary work at the time but did have to lift little children about so took 4 weeks off from that. Hopefully others who’ve had a C1 shave too can let you know how they were, but like you’ve said it does vary so much!