My husband's incision went from below his ear, down his neck and around to the front of his neck. I know that sounds hidious but after 4 months, you can't see the scar. It has healed beautifully. There is a slight indentation but it is not noticeable. His neck feels tight in that area and he has had some loss of use with his shoulder due to the muscle being cut there but with physical therapy and just using his arm and shoulder, all is good. That would be the only side effects. As far as pain, he had none. He went in for the surgery and came home the next day - they initially said he would come home with a drain for a couple of days, but he did so well, he went home with nothing. He had the surgery on Thursday and spent the weekend resting and taking it easy and was fine on Monday. Had the staples out a week or so later.