So pleased that you have a date for surgery! And that your family are helpful and supportive, good that your mum will advocate for you…It sounds like you’ve got Dr Hackman’s attention re post-op care and pain relief, so that’s good, you’re doing all you can to ensure it doesn’t happen again, so that box is ticked!
As for specific neck surgery recovery, hopefully Dr Hackman’s patients can chip in, as different surgeons have different techniques. We have had quite a few discussions I think from his patients who were given a ‘neck bra’ to minimise swelling in that area, although if I remember right it was double styloidectomy patients. Otherwise steroids can be given to help with swelling, if that’s possible for you, or a drain is sometimes put in overnight, and of course ice packs.
Sleeping semi upright will ease swelling, so get prepared with a wedge pillow and maybe a V shaped pillow to keep yourself propped up. The gel ice packs are good as they can be moulded. Obvs food/ eating won’t be an issue, but some members have sucked popsicles to ease swelling, I don’t know know if you would be able to have that?
Usual advice is to keep up with pain meds regularly so it doesn’t get out of control but you know more about pain relief than I do!
Expect ups & downs with recovery, you will have some better days & then worse days, so don’t panic, and obviously swelling can take a while to go down, and nerves can take up to a year to heal so it may be a while before you notice any improvements after surgery…
One of our members has done a surgery shopping list which might be helpful, here’s a link:
Surgery shopping list - General - Living with Eagle
And there might be other useful info in the Newbies Guide Section about surgery:
ES Information- Treatment: Surgery - Welcome / Newbies Guide to Eagle Syndrome - Living with Eagle
I think there have been a few discussions with tips for travelling you could search for, although being driven will be less problematic than flying.
Hope that your next phone appt is reassuring, and will be praying for all to go well for you 
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