I'm about 3.5 weeks out from my bi-lateral surgery and noticed that my cheeks and jawline look a tad bit "fuller" dare I say "fluffy" and the skin feels tight too. Is this fairly normal after this type of surgery or should I be on the phone to the Dr.??

Same thing with me -- The radiation, followed later by the surgery, has produced very thick scarring under the skin of my throat -- Lymphedema massage by physical therapist has helped, but the scarring will likely continue to restrict my head movement, esp looking up or down.

Same thing with me -- The radiation, followed later by the surgery, has produced very thick scarring under the skin of my throat -- Lymphedema massage by physical therapist has helped, but the scarring will likely continue to restrict my head movement, esp looking up or down.

The swelling has decreased significantly from when I was in the hospital.

I too have a great deal of swelling especially after laying down. It is worse in the morning when the pillows have slipped down. I also feel like I am swollen so much more than I actually am but it is enought to restrict movement. I am hoping that massage and phsyio will help with this...I feel sometimes like the whole surgery area is "tight"....I am almost three months out of surgery and am getting more feeling back but with that is more pain this I am not understanding. I am taking more pain killers now than when I first got out of the hospital...But swelling seems to have it's days

Diane,

I've had so many surgeries over the years. The pain you're feeling is probably the regeneration of the nerves that were cut or damaged during surgery. This is a very good thing, especially with the neck and face. You want regeneration in those areas. I've still got "dead zones" on my torso from surgeries I had 20 and 30 years ago, because the nerves never did reconnect.

Take care,
Lani

I hope the painkillers you are taking are NOT something like oxycodone -- Needing more is a sign of addiction and your body is getting used to it -- I had some mild difficulty getting off the stuf myself, three bad days -- If I ever need it again, I will be sure to taper down even more slowly (Unless I am in Hospice, in which case I will taper UP quickly! <grinz>).

Thanks guys no worries it is Tylenol#3 and maybe taking 4 a day and sometimes less than that. Somedays I don't take any. Most times it is a couple at night. I push through the pain. Sometimes it has been more uncomfortable than painful. It is hard to explain how it feels but at times it really hurts and doubles me over when it lasts for a while I take something. Lately there is more pain than discomfort. Like I said I am starting physio tomorrow and massage theropy not till January but am hoping the theropy will help with the tightness. The swelling at night wakes me up. I sit up for a while it tends to go down.

Sometimes it takes a while for the swelling to go down. I had a different type of surgery to remove a tumor from the inside of my cheek. My surgery was not complicated like what you had. The initial swelling from surgery had gone down and then it started to get worse. It turned out to be infected. If you are in doubt have your doctor check it.

Hey Christine...How are you?!!! How's the snow? We are getting our fair share right now.

Well I am concerned but not worried. I know someone is taking care of me. I think I may call my nurse with a few quesitons see what she says concerning certain pain, bumps and soreness. But I honestly think these are all a part of healing.

Thanks for chiming in ...Hope you had a great Thanksgiving or having it rather (depending on when you celebrate)

I had swelling too, it was a little lymphedema. I slept sitting up,either in a recliner or prop up "alot" on a reg bed. I have
and L sofa and slept in the middle of it for a long time.
The weird feeling are probably your nerves trying to reconnect,
like Christine said, that's a good thing.
Hang in there, I took oxycodone for months. Didn't know half the
time because everyone put it in my peg tube. I didn't have any
problems getting off-but felt weird for a long time. We all have something a little different happen to all of us!
Have a blessed weekend!
Debbie