hello again, my father, God bless his heart was here all day on Sunday for Easter, which i am extremely grateful for.. he was a little red in the chin, and had some swelling on the right side, left side was the "troubled side".. now yesterday and today his swelling on the right side has gone up and has gone into his lips.. the ENT did say that the swelling would come and go for some time, but it really hasnt been this big for a good month now.. it is not warm, no fever, so we dont think its infection and the home nurse was over today and doesnt seem to think its infection either.. how does one tell the difference between infection and just inflammation? ugh! and the trush on his tongue has gone down, it is no longer raised, but it is still white, but it doesnt hurt.. i pray for better days soon for dad.. any input would be great! thank you..
nicki

Hi Nicki!

So glad that you go to spend Easter with your father!

All in all I had swelling for 8 or 9 months after my first operation, the "big one" if you will.

If you are in doubt, definitely get it checked by a Dr...infection isn't anything to mess around with.

Best of luck

Eric

My doc told me to expect to be swollen for up to a year after such a big surgery. I wish I had a simple way to help you determine the difference between normal swelling and infectious swelling. It will be ups and downs for at least the first 6 months after the surgery. It really did take me almost a year before I felt back to normal again. Best wishes with your dads continued recovery!

Hmm... Well normal swelling is usually - normal, may come and go - infectious swelling is usually warm to touch, possibly painful, and red. I would have it checked out to be on the safe side. Take care and hope your dad feels better soon.

hello all, this weather is soo icky here in Chicago! gloomy and rainy.. thank you once again for your responses.. he has had infections in the past, about a month ago he was put on antibiotics back to back.. he finished up and about a week later was put back on.. usually it would be accompanied by draining under his chin (incision).. no drainage this time! but definitely red.. he has his monthly appt next wed, and you are absolutely right about infections turning into something horrible! the ENT did say something about the chance of "chronic" infection and we may talk about long term antibiotics?.. he said sometimes people get chronic infection on or around the plates.. BUT he has told us that with these big surgeries soo many different things can happen but his main focus is keeping this beast away! thank you all again!
nicki