Submandibular gland removal

Dusty.....

Please let me know about your swelling after Monday. I swelled up after my cholesteatoma but it was not hard swelling. I hope it's just normal. It's a nasty operation and I must admit I am scared for it. I wasn't with my ear and I even had a large piece of my skull used to graft on my ear. This one sounds worse though.

Hi Karen do not worry I think my other problems have made things worse.  I have immflamotory arthritis which attacks my immune system and I am positive it's all to do with that because the consultant said the pathologist does not mention finding a stone but very badly imflammed in many areas of the gland and I think that this is my problem now.  If you can go through all that you have been through you will cope fine with this.  Just make sure they give you some antibiotics when you come out of hospital plus antiseptic mouthwash and ointment for the would although they give you eye ointment it is used to help with the scaring.  Good luck and hope it goes well for you let me know how you get on x

Morning Karen yes  have immune problems and I think that it all linked yes Rhematology said it was not but if you look on Internet it says it is.  Mine is attacking muscles.  I also got under active thyroid and problem with liver not through drink never drank alcohol so put it down to virus or medication.  I am also borderline diabetic although I wish they would just say I am either one or the other I always seem to be borderline for everything.  I sometimes think they pull these things out of a hat.

On the good side I think my face is not so hard today so I praying that by Monday it will have improved more, I am impatient.  My lip had dropped and that looks a little better also.

They give you the eye ointment to put on the scare to help it heal I presume.  

The consultant did say to keep using it so I am.

Have a good day 

Hi Karen -

I'm unsure when you'll get this response, however in the meantime let me give you and others here some hope.. You see, I underwent submandibular surgery just over Memorial Day weekend.

My surgeon, who was an Associate Professor of a world renowned teaching hospital stated that yes, the stones may come back. Here's the good news for you and possibly others that may read to gain knowledge and help..

My surgery was done "under the tongue with an incision. My 4 stones were very large by normal standards (2 cm+) and, the stich were self-absorbing within 6 weeks. To date, I've had no issues and in fact, have understood "lemon drop candies" that promote saliva to help.

While medical science doesn't know the cause or reason for the stone development - what they do know, is the best way to treat and remove them. On a personal note, I research for months the ultrasound, shockwave, laser, etc.. techniques (but they were new and somewhat unconventional).

So I trusted my doctor and the team assigned to me. Yes, there ARE risks, but that's why you need to search out the BEST in the ENT field. Preferably one who actually "teaches" and, is difficult to get an appointment with. Remember, one slip of the knife in the wrong nerve and it "could result" in paralysis to part of that side of the face.

The parathyroid gland is much more complex but stones rarely gather there. I've read of people having the gland removed entirely and, in fact my own surgeon said if they do come back, the gland would need to be removed.. one caveat though.. I'm 50.. and I've been "dealing" with this annoyance for over 25 years... if they come back, I highly doubt I'll be having a 3" incision under my jawline with potentially worse complications.

Numbness of the tongue side operated on is normal and should dissapate completely. Stay strong, keep a positive attitude and know 8n your heart everything happens for a reason..

I pray you are feeling better but just felt compelled after nonslip this morning to write you and give you and others my own personal account. For those considering submandibular surgery - please go to THE BEST.. Whether that be the Director of Otolaryngology at Mt. Sanai, Salone-Kettering, Columbia Presbyterian, John's Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, etc.. search out the best. It's truly worth it.. this is NOT a surgery I feel a local ENT should be performing. .. just my two cents..

Good luck to you Karen and everyone else..! Also in closing, my "TINNITUS" in the same ear as the stone has almost disappeared.. coincidence..? I have no idea, but it's virtually gone and that, was much more debilitating than the swelling of the stones.. food for thought..

God Bless..!

Well two weeks ago I removed another stone from my gland. It was bigger than my first one and since then the gland has not swollen again.

I have yet to let max facial know of this but I shall.

I knew I had another stone and it was in the tube but even after having a sialogram they told me I did not. I could feel it and see it and took regular photos to show them.

I hope now I don't have any more trouble. It's early days I guess but it goes to show even silograms can be wrong.

Thanks to all for the replies.

Hey ive had my gland removed a little over a month and the  incision isn’t rock hard still no pain is this normal? 

Hi all, i had my gland removed 7 days ago. All was great with no pain at all until yesterday when i ate. Above the incision on my neck i had a very hard lump form that went just under my jaw bone, it was painful n has subsided this morning but i haven't eaten yet. Is this normal or a sign of infection, how long should i expect the pain to b there for and will that lump stop forming? Any advice will b greatly appreciated, i feel like crying my eyes out especially being 7 days until Christmas. Thanks