Terry, the worstpart of my husbnd's bilateral neck dissection was the swelling. The drain helped that alot. It did hurt when it ws rmoved. He also had staples and only a few of them were tender when they were removed. 1\2 were taken out the day before he let the hospital and the other 1\2 after his 2nd post surgery visit. His scar is barely noticeable- I think you will get through this part o.k. Good luck. Amy