No problem, it’s day…6 now? Still tired, headache, normal things you’d expect after being stabbed in the neck. It’s still pretty swollen, but I had my follow-up today. Since my major symptom was a feeling of something stuck in my throat, problem solved!
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Good that there’s benefits of surgery already!
I agree with Jules. Its nice to hear some symptoms resolve immediately. Ive noticed now that I have been diagnosed with ES that I do have some positional bone in throat feeling. I have had flairs (major) originating from the site in the past where I do notice it. I think I have had these symptoms for a long time and you get so used to it, you ignore the minor swallowing constriction feeling. Happy healing doc.
Here’s the scar a week after surgery, I was finally brave enough to attempt to shave around it. It doesn’t look bad at all, but it is raised and hard as a rock, so I’m hoping that gets better. Like others have said, the area’s a little tight as well. A fun side effect I hadn’t considered is that the skin on the scar is numb, obviously, but so is the skin between it and my jawline. It feels like I might be getting some sensation back there, but it’s too soon to tell.
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Your incision looks really good, DocHoliday! You can begin gently massaging it (finger tips or a very soft washcloth & minimal pressure) w/ some vitamin E or Bio Oil if it doesn’t bring up pain. A warm compress might also help the swelling to lessen as it will increase circulation to the area to help expedite healing. If heat brings up pain, you can still ice it which might also help.
Thanks for the updated pics!
shayney ~
Your incision looks AMAZING! You’re a quick healer! It looks like you still have some swelling which can still cause nerve irritation & throat/neck/jaw/other pain. I guarantee that those things will improve as time goes on. By a month post op much of your swelling will be gone & remaining symptoms should be less intense or gone. By two months you’ll have even more relief and going forward from there, you will notice more & more changes though they will be more subtle.
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Comforting and inspiring words. Thank you.
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Hi everyone, it’s been 4 weeks and my smile is still
Crooked. My surgeon said it would be back in 4 weeks so I am nervous. It’s still all numb over there too. He said the facial nerve was fine during monitoring so it should come back. I’m just very self-conscious and worried about nerve damage. Advice? Anyone else have it take longer?
Hi Swoo, I had the same thing after surgery and it definitely took more than 4 weeks to go away. Now completely gone. I’d give it another month. Hang in there!
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I totally agree w/ onelessstyloid. Nerves can take months to heal. I expect you’ll see the lip improve gradually over the next several months. Half of my tongue was paralyzed after my first surgery, & it took 9 months before it got back to normal. It was a very gradual process but it did recover.
I believe your lip will recover nicely. 
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The same thing happened to me after both of my surgeries. It took up to 7-8 weeks for it to pass.
Stay safe,
BG
I just had a troubling conversation with my surgeons nurse. I emailed after my 1 month follow up visit to get more clarification on my continued limited mobility and pain in my jaw after surgery.
I was told that because I was having the symptoms of “locking jaw” and pain in opening my mouth “before” the surgery, that basically they were not discussing that.
I replied, well…I was under the impression that the cause of these symptoms was ES.
She replied, they only want updates on symptoms that developed post surgery???
shayney - That doesn’t make sense. If a problem you had before surgery has worsened since surgery, I would think the surgeon would want to see you to discuss/explain/give perspective as to what might be going on. I would certainly pursue this. It would be worth having another follow-up appt.
I suspect you still have inflammation that is pressing on nerves & that is what’s causing the limiting your jaw movement. Time will be your best friend. Nerve healing can be very slow & take many months. Recovery of post op lip droop, tongue paralysis, facial/eye issues can take up to a year though we generally see good recovery progress in 0-6 mos. post op. You may just need to be patient & wait this out, but I still think your doctor should be willing to see you in the interim.
I’m sorry for the way you were brushed off.
I realize it is very early in my recovery. I was just blown away at his response. I am working to loosen up my jaw by pushing it open with my fingers until it is uncomfortable…holding then releasing. I guess I’m super afraid it will heal locked like a dislocated joint.
I think your strategy & reasoning are good. If the jaw muscles aren’t persuaded to work, they will atrophy, & you’re right, dealing w/ the problem later isn’t a great idea. Good job coming up w/ a solution. Working up to the point of pain but not putting yourself in pain is the best. You should be able to get PT for your jaw muscles/joints if you don’t begin to see some progress in the next 2-3 weeks.
Hello,
I am almost 8 weeks post op from external left styloid removal. I am so up in the air about my results.
In reading and comparing to others stories here, I feel guilty even mentioning my worries.
I initially presented with a locked jaw and ear, eye, tooth pain. This was of course frightening and I do believe the surgery is ultimately the reason my jaw released and I am able to chew again.
I just wish I had a direction to go in now for the lingering issues I am experiencing. I I feel the surgeon has basically washed his hands of me as in he did his part of the job and I’m on my own now.
I have so many questions and concerns but they seem so completely minor in comparison to the struggles I see here.
I guess I just want to know I’m ok and on the right path.
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Hi shayney,
First, I feel it’s inexcusable for your surgeon to “wash his hands of you”. He should be there for you for as long as your healing takes. Unfortunately, you’re not the first person to have this happen. Get a copy of your surgical report so you provide that to any other doctor you might see for follow-up if things either get worse or continue to be uncomfortable. We are each different in how we heal & how long recovery takes.
There is no concern too small to share here. Please let us know your concerns either in a post or message me privately. I’m happy to “talk” to you about what you’re still experiencing. I also want to remind you that if you have bilateral ES (I know you only mentioned unilateral), any symptoms that remain can be a result of the styloid/calcified s-h ligament that is/are still present. Yes, even symptoms on the post op side. Cross over pain is not uncommon once one styloid/s-h ligament has been removed, as any symptoms the second styloid/calcified ligament contribute to can become worse until the remaining styloid &/or ligament are removed (usually 3-6 mos after the first surgery). Nerves can take up to a year or more to fully heal. The process is gradual & can be a 3 steps forward 2 steps back process, but even w/ that scenario, the progress is forward toward healing.
Shaney,
Im one week out post-op and having trouble with my left jaw. I was already having jaw/ear pain and diagnosed TMJ pre-surgery. I was warned that this would likely worsen and flair up after surgery because of the surgery -ie: manipulation of nerves, muscles, torque of neck and jaw during surgery. I felt this pain immediately after surgery and was my primary complaint. Opening my mouth to eat especially first thing in am, is hard. Ive been sticking to soft foods and avoiding chewing much. I started massaging the jaw and stretching a little last night, more direct icing and it seems better today but still hurts. Im anticipating this to be this way for several months and just hoping it gets better with time. Hang in there.
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