Bill D.,
My experience sounds identical to yours except my incision is probably 6 to 8 inches. Mine also is in a natural crease so, it is not very noticeable. I don't understand why they don't use glue for all of them. It was totally painless and no staple scars.I have reached the 5 month mark and, like you Bill, my neck is still totally numb.
Also, regarding shaving, I now only have to shave the tops of my cheeks, mustache and lower neck area as the radiation killed off the rest of my facial hair. I didn't know you got free electrolysis with radiation. What a deal.

11/28/2006. Left lateral tongue, partial glossectomy, T3, moderately differentiated. 12 lymph nodes from neck, all clear. IMRT, 30X, ended 02/21/2007.