My surgery date is August 4th with Dr. Osbourne. He’s going to perform a left styloidectomy. He decided to leave the right styloid alone since it’s shorter and isn’t giving me major problems right now. I plan to eventually have that one removed as well. I’m nervous but looking forward to finally getting it done.
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That’s exciting news, @Sirrom24! I’m glad you only need one side done & hope the other one never needs to be taken out. Unfortunately, it does seem in bilateral cases that once one styloid is removed, the symptoms being caused by the remaining styloid often flare up, but even w/ that we’ve had a few members who never needed a second styloidectomy.
I strongly suggest that you don’t opt for a second styloidectomy unless you do have an increase in symptoms after your first one. We’ve had a couple of people who had a second styloidectomy “just because the styloid was elongated” but was asymptomatic, & have regretted it.
I’ve put your surgery date on my calendar so I can pray for you that day in particular. 
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Hello, Isaiah. Thanks for the warning regarding a second styloidectomy. Unless it’s causing me problems, I’ll leave the right one. I’m hoping I’ll have no issues after the left styloid is removed.
As for your prayers, I welcome them.
I’ll post an update after the surgery.
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@Sirrom24 so exciting!! Sending you good thoughts and healing prayers for an uncomplicated surgery and quick recovery!!
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Thank you!
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I hope that your surgery goes well and you only need the one side doing, praying for good results 
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@Jules Thank you very much! I’ll be sure to post an update after the surgery.
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Hello,
First, I want to thank you all for your prayers! Dr. Osbourne performed my left styloidectomy surgery on Aug. 4th, and so far I’m healing well. I had my head bra and stitches removed yesterday. Turning my head to the left hurts sometimes as well as talking. My cheeks and the left side of my neck is a bit swollen, and I’m having some ear and jaw pain. However, that’s to be expected as I continue healing. During the surgery Dr. Osbourne had to move a nerve near my lip to get to the styloid. As a result, I’m talking like Sylvester Stallone. It’s a bit difficult to eat and pronounce certain words clearly, so I have to take my time. It sucks, but I was assured it will be at least 90 days before the nerve heals, and I’m back to normal.
The styloid he removed was 3cm. As of today, I no longer have brain fog, sharp pains and the feeling of an object in my throat. The migraines have lessened tremendously, my vision has improved, but I’m still experiencing some dizziness. I’ve been very tired lately, but maybe that’s just a part of the recovery process.
During my visit I also found out I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. For years, I thought all of my symptoms were due to ES. I learned that a lot of people who have ES also have ED syndrome. I’ll be seeing a specialist once I recover from my surgery. Overall, I’m very happy I had the surgery and look forward to a full recovery.
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Thank you for sharing your recovery progress so far, @Sirrom24. It sounds like your surgery went well, & it’s so great to learn that you’ve already experienced significant recovery from your vascular symptoms!
This is 100% normal after surgery & may last for several weeks. I had to put my food in a blender for a couple of weeks post op because my jaw was so sore I couldn’t chew. Ear pain after Dr. O’s surgeries is in part because of the placement of the incision right in front of the ear. That should also begin feeling better w/in 3-4 weeks.
I totally sympathize with your situation. I woke up from first ES surgery w/ half my tongue paralyzed. It made it very hard to eat & talk normally. I’m sorry to say, but Dr. Osborne’s suggested 3 months for recovery may be on the short end. It was 6-9 months before my tongue finally recovered enough that people noticed I was speaking more clearly. I was about 10 years older than you when I had my first 2 surgeries so perhaps your youthfulness will allow for quicker healing.
Indeed being very tired is part of the recovery process. That may last 6-8 weeks. It’s among the strategies your body uses to help keep you “down” so it can put its energy into healing not into trying to jump back into a busy life.
I’m sorry about your EDS diagnosis. We have quite a number of members on our forum who have EDS & there are many discussions with good resources for & information about EDS & doctors that deal with it. Among those are a podcast called Bendy Bodies by Dr. Linda Bluestein - Podcast — Hypermobility MD.
I hope your recovery continues to progress well. Please keep us posted as to how you’re doing as time passes. 
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@Isaiah_40_31 I’m very grateful for your response. It’s great to have feedback from someone who has gone through the surgery and recovery.
Your comment about the jaw and ear pain due to the placement of the surgery site makes a lot of sense. Like you, I’ll be sure to stick to soft foods until the pain begins to abate.
Also, as much as I disliked hearing it, thanks for giving me a realistic timeframe for the nerve to heal in my lip. As for you, I can’t imagine having the left side of my tongue paralyzed! That must have been really hard for you, and I’m very glad you recovered.
I appreciate the EDS resource, and I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
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I’m glad that you’re seeing some improvements in your symptoms already, that’s great! It’s very early days, so hopefully your pain and the issue with your lip will improve- that’s quite a common ‘complication’ after surgery and should improve soon 
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Thank you @Jules! It still feels unreal that the left styloid is finally gone and some of my symptoms have improved. I’m anxious to see how things will look next week because I’ll have to return to work soon. It makes me feel somewhat better knowing the lip “complication” is common. I’ll need to muster up my patience and wait it out.
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Take it as easy as you can when you go back to work, sometimes overdoing things too soon can set healing back and symptoms can return for a bit- it’s a good idea to be prepared for that to happen as hopefully you won’t be too anxious if it does
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@Jules Thanks for the advice and warning. I pray it doesn’t happen, but I’ll mentally prepare myself in case I have any setbacks.
@Sirrom24 - If it’s possible for you to start back part time or to work from home 2-3 days a week for a couple of weeks or so, that would allow you to ease back in. Working from home would allow you to take a break & rest if needed. Also, if you’re doing computer work, make sure your screen is at eye level so you aren’t looking down. I keep mine on a pile of books though I know there are commercial computer stands available. This also goes for your phone screen. Hold it at eye level when using your phone. It’s awkward at first but you’ll get used to it.
@Isaiah_40_31 Unfortunately, I can’t work from home. I may look into taking additional time off from work. I didn’t know I should have my phone and computer at eye level. I’ll be sure to make that adjustment moving forward.
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Keeping screens at eye level helps to protect the natural lordotic cervical curve which so many of us have lost from all the looking down we do in our lives - not just at screens but when doing housework, walking/running, etc. Over years the cervical spine straightens out which compromises the thoracic & lumbar segments of our spines by allowing our heads to sit too far forward.
@Isaiah_40_31 Wow! That’s very interesting. I need to see if my neck still has a natural curve.