Submandibular Gland Excision Complications

I'll try to keep this long story short.

(for reference im MTF Trans Pre-op, but legally female etc)

In the summer of 2019 4th of July weekend I had major facial swelling in my anatomical left submandibular gland. At the time i was unaware of the cause or specifics of course. In fact I was working when i finally drove myself to the ER. After numerous ER issues: (misdiagnosed, incorrect at home advice further complicating the stones, lack of / late receptionist, shock, bathroom complications, walking holding my own IV bag while in massive shock, lvl 9 pain / late pain meds, etc)

The ER discharged me with enough pain meds to last 2/3rds of the holiday weekend and advised to call an ENT specialist on Monday. I almost died that weekend in two separate instances due to bad health advise from that hospital. (one of the pills was too large to fit down my tennis ball sized neck, the other would have been drowning from acid reflex / unable to vomit)

Fast forward through a rushed mandatory PCP doctor appt to get the referral (whom had 2 weeks prior advised no stones) to the now ENT appointment located in the same building as the previously mentioned ER.

ER advised Submandibular Gland Excision, and told me i had an infection, that the stones were not possible to remove in office as one was the size of the first joint of my pinky finger. I later found out I had 3 stones about 5 minutes before the anesthesia kicked in.

Post-surgery

Sent home same day, no restrictions i had ask the receptionist when i could return to work. They advised 7 days. Supposedly the opposing gland was linked to the drainage in my mouth to improve saliva secretion. 7 days later Stitches removed, and drain tube in neck removed with 99ccs of fluid. Returned to work the day after removal. Roughly 3 days later my neck swells up.

Go to a different hospital, they draw 3 more ccs of fluid out my neck and advise ENT appointment. Following day ENT vacuums out an untold volume of liquid out of my neck. They stuff a gauze into my neck but leave it dangling outside of my neck, and wrap my neck with an additional outer gauze with the intent to air dry my neck...

5 days later it's removed, I'm told the small.5in hole will close itself in a few days...

Fast-forward to roughly 1 year later

I'm at work and stretch my neck big (I had limited neck range for a long while post surgery). it feels like something snaps or gives, and later that evening I feel something dangling in my mouth like phlegm but its rubbery and I can't seem to remove it. I excuse myself to the restroom and pull it free from inside my saliva gland. It's mildly painful like i ripped it free. I'm assuming it's the duct / connective line to the exit point from the gland that was removed. Follow up ENT appoint advised it is likely thick mucus or small leftover surgery pieces. Oh and the surgeon that operated on me retired shortly after. The new ENT doesn't know the specifics regarding my surgery...

Fast forward 6 more months.

I remove another smaller piece from the same gland. This one isn't painful. Throughout these last two time gaps my neck sometimes throbs or has very minor temporary swelling.

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Fast forward to current:

I notice that when eating spicy foods the side of my neck and under area of my jaw tingle or go numb? Throbbing pain is likely related to allergens and peak environmental allergen season muscle relaxers prescribed short term fix the issue.

At this point I'm wondering if my theory of a poorly connected duct work is spot on, and if it is what realistically could be done for it? Would it really be worth a 2nd incision for repair if even possible? Would iodine detect a leak down the side of my neck and/or pooling below the floor of my mouth? If left as is assuming it is damaged or missing would minor pooling with 2 exits really be a concern for anything other than infection maybe???

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