I had my surgery on Monday. I have a couple of concerns so bare with me, I'm only mentioning them to get ansers for me, not to scare anyone because my symptoms/situation might just be more rare and shouldn't worry people. They said the tumour was large and in 2 parts which the surgeron said was concerning but he then followed it up with "there's still every chance it's still pleomorphic adenoma".. Initial biopsy a year ago showed it was benign but I'm just concerned as it was only 1 part they got a test from. I'll obviously find out within 2 weeks what it comes back as now that the whole thing is out. My practical concern is I think I have Frey's syndrome because my cheek / most of the area of the scar is wet alot / sweaty. Having been told to keep the scar dry I'm just concerned that the frey's syndrome might affect the healing process? I've been out of hospital since Wednesday now. I'm also depserate to wash my hair as I think it's in my mind but it keeps itching, but again too scared to dare to get my scar more wet than it already is from the freys syndrome. I also have some irritation in my ear and I can see there's dried blood in there, it's been 5 days since my surgery and I'm not sure if I should attempt to clear my ear yet as it's so close to the scar and is mostly numb at the moment. Sorry for all these questions but I wasn't really given much factual information before I left hospital on Wednesday, it was mostly just "whatever feel's comfortable for you", and to be honest what would be comfortable for me is somebody telling me what I can factually do haha.

Hi there, OK, first things first, try not to worry about the hair, I didn't wash mine for 2 weeks, so yes filthy & yes very itchy, but your main priority is the healing of the scar. If it's natural moisture around the scar you could just dab it with kitchen roll or toilet paper, something that will absorb, but just don't wipe. I didn't get Freys syndrome until a year after the surgery, but was told I might. With the ear, do you have anyone that can maybe help here - moisten a cotton bud & they can gently wipe (not on scar) around or in the ear, to clear the dried blood perhaps? Also, can't stress enough the importance of the cream on the scar, did they give you some or have you read my earlier messages to get your own? How is your movement at the moment in your face? 

Lastly, stay positive, do gentle facial exercises, I also felt small massage movements on my face helped. 

Hope I've answered everything, shout if not x

Okay great thank you. I had nurses apply a gel to my scar about 2-3 times a day for 2 days whilst I was in hospital, just before getting discharged the surgeron asked me how the gel feels and I said "it feels like eletricity" when they apply it and he said not to bother with it, so I left the hospital with literally nothing. So I should buy some Dermatix? If you think so then I'll do it. I just didn't bother because the surgeon made it seem like it wasn't worth the discomfort. But frankly because of the whole wetness of the area because of this freys syndrome I feel like something like that might actually help right now? I too sleep with 3 pillows but on my right side (as my scar is on my left side), but I'm sleeping around an hour at a time before waking up, I'm usually a good sleeper but can't seem to sleep for long periods as of yet. Ofcourse it's only been 5 days so far though. and okay 2 weeks without washing my hair, I'll make that my target haha. I just get so paranoid that the sweat and everything that's in and around the scar is going to be bad for it, but yeah been told to absolutely avoid it which is hard for me because I'm so stressed about it! sorry for the extensive reply haha, appreciate your advice earlier though.

Try not to stress, as that really won't help your healing process & stress is I think what caused mine. Try meditation, something I never really did before. I'm not medically trained, but was very fortunate to have an amazing surgeon who was very informative too & he suggested this Dermatix. My partner put it on 3 times a day & because of the numbness, I felt like he was pushing at the scar, he wasn't, but the feeling is bizarre. I still have numbness but only around the jaw & ear. I slept sitting up & still had the compression tights on for about 10 days. The sleep will be a bit abnormal anyway due to the GA. Are you in any pain? Mine is left side too. I used to get quite upset sometimes too, it's a lot to go through so try not to be too hard on yourself x

Thanks Jools, I really appreciate you and everything you're saying. I have a little pain but sort of almost like a slight ear ache but where the scar is (if that makes sense haha). In regards to getting quite upset, I do but mainly because I want this to be over now, and I'm just impatient in terms of waiting for the 2 weeks for the results to come back from when they examine the tumour, but that's something I need to not focus on, I know that. I've accepted the risks of the surgery before and the fact that freys syndrome, the scar and the numbeness in my left ear and cheek is the only thing that seems to be apparent so far, I'm quite pleased in that aspect. It's the not knowing until the tests on the tumour are revealed when I get my check up which is playing on my mind, but yeah I know it's not something I can control and need to try and not focus on. But yeah I'll order that Dermatix now! Thank you Jools :happy:

It honestly sounds like you're doing pretty well. I had quite bad drooping of the face on my left side for 3 months, a bit like bells palsy, so mentally that took alot out of me, I was grateful I had to wear a mask when I went back to work - never thought I'd say that though lol!

Would love to know how you get on & I'll be thinking of you as I know the 2 week wait is a little like slow torture, but stay positive. 

Hi, was just wondering how you're getting on?x

Hi, was just wondering how you're getting on?x