This is most likely accumulated fluids, and as time goes by the body will find new ways to eliminate them from these areas since the normal pathways have been destroyed by the surgery. Massage does help slightly. Note that the lymph system doesn't do much when it comes to fighting off infections; it is not directly part of our immune system. It primarily serves the purpose of draining and providing a pathway for the debris of the immune response to exit the area and the body. Please read the section on trismus in the main site body...use the search function or start in he dental complications section. There are devices from Therabite that will help you to stretch and gradually widen the opening of your mouth. Since it is all there, I won