Hello, I’m only a week post surgery and everything appears to have gone well except some fairly extreme swelling to side of face where operation and neck dissection were.
Rather than improving, swelling (largely fluid retention) has got worse. The doctors saw me yesterday and don’t suspect infection but say it is fluid resulting from the removal of lymph nodes.
Has anyone else experienced this? How quickly does it resolve? Is there anything I can do to improve the condition?
Thankyou
I had this and my face was like a balloon
Have a look at the 1st photo in the gallery on my blog - that was 3 or 4 weeks after surgery and before radiotherapy
I had loads of problems with infections so probably not a typical example but the main swelling took a couple of months to go down and was then left with swelling just around my neck.
I started lymphatic treatment (massage) about 6 months after 1st operation, was given a compression garment and was amazed how well that worked
I still have a bit under my neck and a puffy bottom lip, I notice it more that others though, it's like when you have an injection at dentist, feels like you are really swollen, but no one else even sees it.
My lymphatic treatment took so long to start due to having other more ops and infections, they won't do any massaging if any sign of infection.
My bad side looks better than my good side now, skin is far tighter and face far slimmer, tempted to ask my consultant if he can do the other side now 
Plus, I don't have to shave my bad side
Hi Cathy. Yes it’s due to lymph stasis because the fluid has nowhere to go now that the lymph nodes have been removed. You can guide the fluid towards lymph nodes that are still present with massage. I have some pictures of techniques here
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com/2021/02/02/lymphoedema/
Have a look but more importantly have a word with somebody from your speech and language therapy team who can arrange a lymphodema clinic appointment for you.
Best wishes
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Good evening CathyLovesFlowers, i was a bit like Penrod where i had an infection and my face looked like a balloon, my family did not recognise me, my swelling took about two weeks to go down fully while the body adjusts and recovers from the removal of the lymph nodes, I personally do not have any swelling just a small lump on my neck which i opted not to have removed as it was not worth the hassle.Its great to hear that everything appears to have gone well,i remember when you first posted so it nice to hear your update. All the best, take care.
Chris x
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
