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Submandibular Gland Removal Surgery - what to expect?

Posted , 8 users are following.

jp29297
jp29297

Hi Everyone,

I hope Lockdown is going ok for everyone. I am hoping if someone can share their surgery experience with me so that I know what to expect and mentally prepare myself. I am on a waiting list to have my submandibular gland removed due to a benign growth inside. I have never had a surgery before hence I am feeling bit terrified. I would appreciate if I could please hear from people who have gone through this surgery and tell me their post surgery experience and recovery. I would like to know how painful was it when you woke up from anesthetic? Were you able to eat and talk following surgery? How was your jaw movement and neck movement? How things improved everyday. I am told by my ENT that recovery is 1-2 weeks and I should be able to return to work on 3rd week.

Looking forward to your responses.

Thanks,

JP

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • lara28742
    lara28742 jp29297

    Posted

    Hi,

    I had a quarter neck dissection, which I think is similar or the same as what your getting done, basically they removed my salivary gland and a bunch of the glands around it because I had a tumour which was not 100% sure benign, but after the OP they found it was benign, phew. So to answer your questions yes it's a little scary but the staff are kind. Once you wake up you cant feel a thing as the anaesthetic is still hanging around, they give you plenty of painkillers too to make sure you're pain free. The only time I experienced pain was in the night after the painkillers had worn off and I was too shy to ask for more but make sure you don't let that happen because it was sore, so if you feel it starting to wear off ask for more painkillers! The pain shouldn't really be an issue because they really dose you up with pain killers, so don't worry. I couldn't really move my neck but I think that was more fear or ripping a stitch. My neck was VERY numb for a long time, and I couldn't really move my mouth very well. My neck even after a few years is still a bit numb because I think they could of touched a nerve but it's not too bad, I think they told me that its actually rare to have that happen, lucky me! Also my mouth movement was a little funky for some time but after doing some exercises it's back to normal (it wasn't anything overly noticeable to others). I never really had much pain because I kept onto of the pain killers. The actual cut healed super fast and wasn't a problem. The scars not too bad. I could talk fine, it was a bit funny the first day. I had no problem eating at all. So overall it is a bit scary but you will be fine. You will get rid of that lump and have a cool scar to show everyone! And after a few weeks you'll be back to normal, worse case you might still be a bit numb, but that's workable. Try not to stress too much, I'm sure lockdowns not helping keep you mind off it. All the best and good luck!

    • jp29297
      jp29297 lara28742

      Posted

      Hi, thanks for taking the time to respond to me, much appreciated. After reading your experience and comments below, my mind is slightly at ease now. Like you said Lockdown isn't helping either. At work, I was distracted and wasn't really thinking about it much. There is not much information about this surgery online so my mind started overthinking and made me quiet anxious. Lucky that I found this forum. My biggest fear are pain and mobility but from comments they seem manageable. I think in my case my ENT is certain that it is benign and only the gland need excision. I've had a CT scan with contrast done earlier last year which showed it could be just infection or inflammation so I was prescribed some antibiotics and prednisone but it didn't work so after few months I had the ultrasound guided fine needle biopsy and samples were tested and confirmed benign. I can't wait to get this done and over with and move on with life. Thanks again.

    • lara28742
      lara28742 jp29297

      Posted

      No problem! I can remember before my surgery I couldn't find anything online either. It was very annoying and stressful so I just though I may as well reply. Good luck again. 😃

  • marouane73302
    marouane73302 jp29297

    Posted

    Hi,

    Have had a surgery for submandibular gland removal on June 2018. All went well, pain after surgery was managed by pain killers and was able to eat a d talk on same day. I was in hospital for two days. I was completely recovered after a month.

    Please feel free to ask any question.

    Have a good day

    • jp29297
      jp29297 marouane73302

      Posted

      Thanks marouane73302, really appreciate your response. Glad to hear that this procedures is not as bad as what my mind was making me think. May I ask did you had to sleep sitting up and for how long?

    • eleanor41546
      eleanor41546 marouane73302

      Posted

      Hi I was wondering how you mouth feels after it. Is saliva thicker , dryer more uncomfortable or does it kinda feel the same. Do you have swallowing difficulties ?

  • townko
    townko jp29297

    Edited

    I had my submandibular gland removed due to having a stone and recurrent infection I also was very worried when I woke from anaesthetic I felt fine given sips of water had a drip up and drain in my neck It was not long until I was able to eat and drink I also got up to the toilet just being careful with drip and drain I was in hospital overnight .Next morning my drain was removed and I was allowed to go home. Pain was minimal took paracetamol or ibuprofen when needed. My neck and side of my face felt a bit numb feels fine now 3 years later I had no drooping of my mouth. I would say after a month I felt normal, scar healed well only an odd numb type sensation on right side of my face and around scar,which did gradually improved.I was back at work 2 weeks later kept my stitch line covered in case of infection. But overall not a bad experience so glad I had the operation.

    • jp29297
      jp29297 townko

      Posted

      Thanks Townko , for taking time out to respond to me. I feel much better after reading your experience. Glad to hear you were able to get back to work 2 weeks later, I hope to do the same. Did you had to sleep sitting up? and for how long?

  • townko
    townko jp29297

    Posted

    Hi, as for sleeping sitting up you will be able to find what is best for you if you are getting any swelling it may be good to have a more upright position then

    just avoid sleeping on the operation side and you will be fine.

    Best wishes on your operation I hope it all goes well. It was the best thing for me no regrets.

    Regards

  • Kari1983
    Kari1983 jp29297

    Posted

    HI- I had my submandibular gland removed because it had a 10mm stone in it. Unfortunately; I also had to get my tonsils out at the same time so my experience will be a little different than yours. I was told that I may have needed to have a drain tube placed for 24 hours after the gland removal surgery. I did not need to have this done. I never noticed any irritation or pain around my neck incision but again I was on high pain meds and dealing with the horrid pain of having your tonsils removed as an adult...

    I have photos of what my incision looked like and looks like now if you are interested.

    I would say just try to relax and stay calm before surgery and trust your medical professional. Everything will be okay.

    • jp29297
      jp29297 Kari1983

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing your experience. I have also heard tonsils operation as an adult isn't a nice experience. I hope all goes smoothly for me as well.

  • eleanor65820
    eleanor65820 jp29297

    Posted

    I have damage to one of my submandibular glands resulting in thick sticky saliva. One of my doctors has suggested in removal of the gland. I was wondering what people experiences are with saliva after the removal. Was there saliva thin and easy to swallow.

    The thick saliva mainly gives me swalloing difficulties which really affects my day. Did people notice difference in saliva and swalloing after the removal?

    • jp29297
      jp29297 eleanor65820

      Posted

      Hi, I haven't had my surgery yet, still on the waiting list. I am told by the specialist that I won't notice any reduction in saliva as the glands on the other side will kick in. I am currently experiencing dry mouth so hopefully this will get resolved after the gland removal. I wonder what other's are experiencing.

  • naeem49259
    naeem49259 jp29297

    Posted

    Hi Everyone,

    Thank you for sharing - 5 days post submandibular gland removal here.

    Did anyone experience pain/pressure at the excision site when resuming diet?

    Thank you!

    Naeem

    • jp29297
      jp29297 naeem49259

      Posted

      Hi Naeem,

      It has been a while but I do remember eating soft food only for the first week atleast. I think solid food gave me discomfort due to limited tongue movement. My neck area use to swell up slightly with jaw movements so I restricted myself to soups and soft food only. After first week things started to improve.

      Remember to sleep upright and use cold packs to help with swelling.

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