Bilateral neck dissection after effects

Hi Elizabeth. What does your surgeon say about this?  18 weeks isn't that long in the scheme of things. Could some of the symptoms other than the shoulder issue be related to your maxillectomy. I have at different times had 2 neck dissections, one as part of a mandibulectomy and the other as a stand alone op as a precaution as I was at high risk of additional  cancer in my upper jaw. This did eventuate and over time I have had 2 maxillectomies. I found the shoulder issue resolved each time fairly quickly and I got full range of movement back in my shoulders both times with no pain. The length of time of recovery depends on how much the accessory nerve has been bruised or damaged. It can take some time in some cases and physio can help. I did not have any lower lip issues as a result of the neck dissections but did as a result of the mandibulectomy. There is a lot to deal with after a maxillectomy and eating and socialising is a big one. 

Consult a physio to see if they can assist with the issue and provide some pain relief. 

Lyn

Hi Elizabeth, hold on in there it’s still quite early days regarding arm movement. I can’t remember the exact movement of my left arm 18 weeks after my neck dissection but I expect it was less than 90 degrees. I had physio and kept on with the exercises daily - that and time for the nerve to heal - worked. It was probably about a year before movement was back to normal but I did get there. Catherine 

Thank you - will keep