Neck Dissection

Hi Screech Owl.  I had the same, but twice.  I guess it all depends on your surgeon as to how soon you can get out.  Both times I was only in overnight and was walking my dog - not far, but out in the fresh air - within 2 days of getting home.

I found the dissections easy to manage.  I had my tonsils done at the same time and that was far worse.  Take painkillers by rote; even if it feels like the pain is subsiding.  It has a habit of creeping up on you.  I did find that for the first few days I needed to support my head when I moved it from the pillow until the neck muscles rebound and gave me strength.

There is the possibility that they will either cut an important nerve (fairly rare) or more likely nudge it and upset it.  That can lead to short/medium term issues with shoulder movement and maybe facial expression.  After 18 months I was back to normal.  These issues should have been discussed with you.  There will always be surface nerve damage e.g. some of us can scratch our neck and it feels like we are touching the top of our ear.  Minor in the grand scheme

I found a reasonably firm wedge pillow worked for me.  I got mine from John Lewis, but there are plenty on the market.

I had both stitches and staples - one technique of closure for each dissection I had.  Personally staples were easier.

You will be tired from the operation.  I was advised by a doctor friend that for each hour you are under expect one month of body/mental recovery time.  That said I would expect the physical neck recovery to be around 14 days.

I would suggest asking questions as you get past the op and into recovery and have some issues you need advice on.  I did not go into subsequent radio/chemo after surgery.

Thanks, Peter.  It is good to hear from someone who has been through the same op.  They told me at pre op that the operation should take just over four hours so presumably that's four months being waited on by my husband!  Really pleased to hear you were out and about (albeit short distance) so soon after your op.  I would find it difficult not to be outside for at least some of each day.  I'll try to get a wedge pillow.

Maddy

Maddy - that is not 4 months of being waited on hand and foot  But if you can get away with it...

4 hours is quite a long operation, but I guess it depends on your surgeon.  I was told mine would be around 90 mins to do my tonsils and remove all the nodes, but in the end it was 3 hours.  The reason being a totally different story!

Fresh air and getting the blood moving is key to reducing those 4 months as it helps clear the rubbish they put into you out of the body and gives you a great mental boost.  And dogs are great

Hi Screech owl. Welcome to our group sorry you’ve found yourself here. Can’t help with neck  dissection as I only had chemo radiation. Keep off dr google you’ll only scare yourself information is out of date. Peters given an excellent account of what ti expect.  
Best wishes Hazel

Oh shucks - I thought I was on to a winner there...  I agree fresh air and good company of the canine variety certainly lifts my spirits in the bleakest of times.

Maddy

I have a feeling radiotherapy will be next on my list so I may well have questions for you then..  Thanks, Hazel.

Maddy

Radio is not always on the list.  It will really depend on the pathology post surgery, but it is worth understanding what it involves and preparing for it even, as is my case, I did not go down that route; just yet.

Hi Maddy. If you need us we’re here. Good luck with next week s operation. 
Hazel x

Hi Mandy and welcome from me too. Have the doctors found where the primary cancer is? 
I didn’t have any nodal spread from my tongue cancer and had radiotherapy only so can’t help with the surgery but Peter has given a brilliant answer. 

Hi Dani, the primary was skin cancer on my ear.  That lesion was removed in July but at the end of August it had progressed to my neck.

Maddy