Hey everyone....I am now about 2 weeks post op. Having all the usual pains,but there are a few new things that i am sure are normal just would like to hear some more input. I talked already about the new numbness i have since surgery. (middle and anterior scalene muscles removed) So basically on my right side, the surgery side, i have complete numbness in the outer part of my ear traveling down the side of my face almost to my chin, down my neck and into the shoulder near the incision. I know that is normal, but i am a little concerned with a couple other things. I have been losing my breath a lot since the surgery, even just talking sometimes i have to stop and catch my breath. And i woke this morning with a pain in the side of my rib cage, on the same side as the surgery. Its really tender and when i take a deep breath it hurts. Could this be the intercostal muscles doing extra work? I was just curious if anyone else experienced the same thing. Its really worrying me. I go see my doctor this coming week but I was hoping for some personal input from any of you that had the surgery. I can also feel i guess what is the end of the scalene muscle he cut right above my collar bone....like a little bump. Guessing thats normal too? All questions i'll ask the doc, but again just some personal input from you guys would be comforting. Thanks in advance, and hoping everyone is feeling well.

Hii dont reember did u have just scalenectomy? I am 3 wks postop supraclavicular c rib, 1st rib, scalenectomy, BP neuroplasty. I too woke up from surgery w new numbness in all my forearm n hand n burning fingertips. It has not gone away yet Dr said could be 2 mos.and chest numbness could be permanent for me as it is on lt side from last surge. I do not have face numbness but do get sore ribs that come n go. My chest is extremely sore n seems worse n goes further down than my last surge. The bump u see if near ur incision is most likely swelling. My incision area felt really tight n sore for 2wks but now is doing better. My surgeon sakes he always makes u worse bf u get better! This is so true!
Good luck w ur recovery. I pray ur sx get better soon!
QUOTE=Joshuamr;1020892]Hey everyone....I am now about 2 weeks post op. Having all the usual pains,but there are a few new things that i am sure are normal just would like to hear some more input. I talked already about the new numbness i have since surgery. (middle and anterior scalene muscles removed) So basically on my right side, the surgery side, i have complete numbness in the outer part of my ear traveling down the side of my face almost to my chin, down my neck and into the shoulder near the incision. I know that is normal, but i am a little concerned with a couple other things. I have been losing my breath a lot since the surgery, even just talking sometimes i have to stop and catch my breath. And i woke this morning with a pain in the side of my rib cage, on the same side as the surgery. Its really tender and when i take a deep breath it hurts. Could this be the intercostal muscles doing extra work? I was just curious if anyone else experienced the same thing. Its really worrying me. I go see my doctor this coming week but I was hoping for some personal input from any of you that had the surgery. I can also feel i guess what is the end of the scalene muscle he cut right above my collar bone....like a little bump. Guessing thats normal too? All questions i'll ask the doc, but again just some personal input from you guys would be comforting. Thanks in advance, and hoping everyone is feeling well.[/QUOTE]

hey 16rhonda....thanks for your response. I had a scaleneotomy The doctor removed both my middle and anterior scalene muscles. I did also have some neuroplasty. Yeah getting worse before it gets better is soooo true. I guess all these pains are a normal part of the recovery. The doctor also told me that the numbness in my ear could be permanent.. Its a rough surgery with a long recovery time, but i hope that in the end it was worth it. Right now i feel like i got run over by a truck at 2 weeks post op. I dont like taking pain meds, but i think if i didnt have them right now i wouldnt sleep a wink. Good luck with your recovery, i hope all goes well and you improve swiftly.

i would call the doc, have him paged, or at least talk to his nurse. you are so early post-op that it would be reasonable to just check in and possibly ease your fears. you need your mind in the best possible place for recovery, which is a positive outlook.