I know exactly how you feel - in fact I think you have analysed your own fears very well. Having written it down here you might be able to take the next step which would be to ring the surgeon's office (we have a specialist nurse who fields calls like that). After my first surgery I went to the GP a couple of times to no avail because they don't have the experience to deal with the after effects of surgeries like ours. That leaves us with having to get hold of the surgeon or his/her team. My eldest son has great rationales for that. "They're there to help us, Mum. They get paid a lot for what they do so never feel guilty about asking for help etc."

I don't know what the earache could be except that you will be having a lot of nerve regeneration going on. If it's sore enough to make you want to reach for the strong stuff then that's another justification for getting in touch with your doctors.

And what nonsense about being intrusive on this site! People love to help. It seems a waste to go through all this and not share the things we've learnt.

Regards from a fellow worry wart and self-effacer:)