Brian, this is part of your response to DonnaJean... "I had lymphedema for about 6 months afterwards, but that finally resolved with constant massage, and even while you have it, it is primarily an esthetic issue, (unless it refuses to go down, and then there is a danger of sepsis in the surrounding tissues)."
I would like to know, what kind of massages did you get and also if they were recomended by you surgeon. I do have lymphedema in my face at the side were the neck disection was performed. I had radiation/chemo followed by surgery (the surgery was performed 3 months ago). I asked the surgeon about my swollen face, and he jokingly said "you have lymphedema, is better tha having chicken pox". Obviously he thinks is something funny, but it is not funny for me, because not only is disfiguring but it is also painful, many times my jaw feels extremely stiff and I feel some sharp pain.
Please advice.