Didn’t see many intra oral pictures… and they are difficult to take. But here’s a post op pic my wife took. Ouch!
Well, now. That’s a pretty impressive tangle of sutures & a very sore looking throat! Nice shade of red you have going in there! I can now better understand the pain & struggles you’ve had w/ recovery. Really appreciate the picture, BFresh! Thank you for posting it. I agree it’s important for us to show “both sides of the coin” on here.
Kudos to your wife for her photography skills!
Hi Swoo!
How is your lip droop progressing? I hope it’s gone now!
@john_h~
I just realized you never got an answer re: FBS. I still have mine after almost 6 years, BUT it has become very intermittent & not nearly as intense as it was in the early days. Many people recover from it fully over time. If it is a life-affecting problem for you, ask your doctor for an Rx for nerve pain meds like Gabapentin (Neurontin) or Amitriptyline. Perhaps a few months on one of those might knock it out all together.
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Hi Wendy! My lip is about 80% better still a little crooked, but so much better
Update I’m having some worsening vascular symptoms especially on the other side now and still getting worked up for CSF leak and other areas of jugular compression, but I’ll keep everyone updated. I don’t have the awful face and swallowing pain anymore!
Scar
I have some bad looking areas because I was allergic to sutures and don’t scar well
Surgery was 3/10
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Hi Swoo!
Thank you for your update. Your lip looks so much better! It should continue to recover & get back to normal. How great to hear that your face & throat pain are gone. Getting rid of that second styloid will certainly help w/ the vascular symptoms though it may take some time after surgery. I hope the CSF leak test is negative & you can get that second surgery ASAP.
I think your scar looks amazing! It will continue to fade as time passes. Mine are almost invisible now, & I was much older than you are when I had my surgeries so skin integrity wasn’t as good.
thank you for this Snapple. Im taking things one day at a time. I am definitely much better since surgery. Your photo is frightening, I hope you have recovered well.
shayney,
Just to clarify, I think the photo you’re referring to is from BFresh not Snapple2020 -
I know I was confused as I didnt think mine looked so bad but I see Bfresh’s. Ouch is right!!!
i see that now. Oops.
Thank you for your response Snapple. This is all to familiar for me. It is improving, but FBS, ear ringing(screaming) is definately trying my patience.
I’m sorry you’re having those residual symptoms, shayney. All I can say is they’re likely to diminish/disappear given time. I do understand though. Been there! 
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Got the other side done by dr Hepworth, different surgeon for the first. Scar much lower and no nerve issues
Hopefully these vascular symptoms will be gone soon!
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HOORAY!! So glad you’ve got both surgeries behind you now, Swoo! I hope you heal quickly! Your incision is more where Dr. Samji places them. Interesting how different doctors approach the same surgery.
Please keep us posted as to how you’re doing post op. It sounds like you’ve started off well.
Sending a gentle hug. 
& prayers for complication-free healing.
My scar is looking pretty good now…it’s been 15 months. I’m a slow healer though! Thankfully still not needing the second side done, even though it was just as long but at a slightly different angle.
.
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redbird773 - Good to hear from you!
That’s an AMAZING transformation! Thank you for sending the picture progression. When I looked at the first couple of pictures I was a little worried. Then I realized there were more below. 
Your incision scar is nearly invisible. Dr. Samji does wonderful work! I’m so glad you don’t have symptoms from the other side. It’s all based on what the styloid is disrupting internally. Your remaining styloid must be just perfectly situated so it’s non-irritating. 
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Wow that looks great redbird! Yours too swoo! Small incision.
Im hoping to post mine which is 12 weeks out from surgery.
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It really transitions nicely into the wrinkles of my neck. Geez these closeups really show it all. 
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looks great! Thank you for sharing
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