What recovery tips help after head and neck cancer surgery?

Recovery from head and neck surgery can involve managing swelling, following proper wound care, staying hydrated, and gradually returning to normal activities as healing progresses. Many community members find it helpful to connect with others who have walked this path and share practical tips that worked during their own recovery journey.

I have one surgery done (4weeks ago) and facing another. The one thing I (and others) keep telling myself is that healing takes time—-I’ve never been one to let stuff keep me down, always get up and go as soon as feeling better than the worst of whatever it was. Now, I am accepting that taking the time to recover and not feel guilty about it is the only way to keep my peace of mind. This is hard but doable. Wishing you the best outcome!

Thank you Becca

They told me the incision will be below my earlobe across to the middle of my chin then down to my collar bone area..then the pull the skin over so that my neck is exposed and only then can the see ..The CT with contrast I had doesn't show certain areas they need to see

To know What they need to do..they said that there might be different scenarios of direction to take..90% chance it will be a good outcome..10% they might not be able to remove the tumor if it is attached to Carotid Artery....YIKES

That is some uncertainty, though the odds are favorable. Gosh, some major anatomy there. Mine is thyroid carcinoma and first surgery took out the big tumor leaving the other half of the thyroid in place. When the pathology came back, surgeon and endocrinologist wanted to get me back for surgery a week later. It’s a good thing I balked at that and went up to a big cancer center. The nerve to of my vocal cords was damaged and now I have only 1 working. New surgeon said if I went through the other surgery and had a bad outcome paralyzing the other side, I’d need a tracheostomy. Now waiting for other specialists to weigh in. Hope you have support now with the surgery just around the corner—and folks to be with you after? Ice packs are key; getting my head into a position so the incision site isn’t stretching reduced my pain; keeping the analgesics on a schedule even if I felt better was useful—better to keep the pain at bay rather than have to get the level back up to reduce the pain. Wishing you the best! You got this!!

My Niece 3yrs old had thyroid surgery 2 weeks ago for thyroid right lobe removed non cancerous THANK GOD Two weeks later she was out playing with the Dog..the power of youth..lol. I Have been informed about the cold pack and was thinking maybe a Neck pillow adjustable brace to help to keep it in place Trial and error but might be worth a shot.. Good thing you got a second opinion about that second surgery and you trusted your gut feeling 👍

I had tomord in my neck. They got them not on the carotid. Hoping the same for you. Unfortunately mine is still discharging a year later. There's a specialist in another town 4 hours away...I have a 2007 rav and don't think I can do it. I need a ride and am waiting to hear from the social worker or doctor.

WoW discharging after a year is not normal I'd go to the closest ER ASAP..could be an infection and the chances of Sepsis are high..if you feel you can't Drive DONT..call 911 for an ambulance 👍

Thinking of you and hope you had a great 4th holiday! Sending prayers for the best outcome tomorrow!!