Hi all, I'm two days after partial glossectomy and like you all, am floored by the pain. I had about 20 stitches in total but within a few hours my tongue started swelling and some of the stitches burst. My tongue got so big I couldn't breathe through my mouth or even swallow. The physio helped me to drink with a straw that reached to the very back of my mouth. 

I try to drink watered down smoothies and weetabix so I can take painkillers but it's just not worth it. My tongue starts to swell from any aggravation. So I'm prioritising drinking water and brushing my teeth. 

When I had the procedure I asked for a cert for work and was told I'd be ok to return to work the following day. To be honest I felt like I was operated on, wheeled back to my hospital bed and within 20 minutes I was told to contact the person who was collecting me. I managed to ask about cert but nothing else. I was still shaking from adrenaline and left when they told me. Within hours I was back in A&E.

So my takeaways:

Don't underestimate how painful it is and how long recovery will take. You won't be able to talk or eat.

Keep your mouth as clean as possible.

Even if you can't eat, drink LOTS of water to prevent dehydration. 

Ensure you get adequate post-OP care and instructions. Don't let them rush you out simply because it's nearly time for them to go home.

Hi. Hope everything is ok now. I'm sure my stitches have burst too. Did it heal up ok without having re-stitched? 

Hi, I realise this is an old thread, but just wanted to say thank you to everyone who's posted here - it's the most helpful information on the Internet regarding the realities of tongue biopsies. 

I've got my tongue lump removal today (I thought they'd do a biopsy first, but they're whipping it out in one go) and feel so much more prepared thanks to your posts. They've been way more helpful than the rather vague and generic leaflet I received from the hospital. Unfortunately, I can't take co-codamol or oramorph due to severe adverse reactions, so will be relying on paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief (bit concerned about that, but fingers crossed!). I'm all stocked up on soups, yogurt, soft and pureed foods and some liquid painkillers in case swallowing tablets is tricky and have salt at the ready for mouth rinses. Looking forward to eventually being able to eat properly again when this lump has gone. 

Why didn't I find you all before I under went my biopsy ...I put my sore tongue down to long covid qnd have been suffering for 10 months .As a by the way at the Dr's there for something else I mentioned the pain qnd sheblooked and said she would refer me . .The next day my phone rang at work offering me an appointment for less than 2 weeks . I shook ... any how that appointment arrived and he suggested oralnlichen planus but I needed a biopsy . He handed me the letter and again I had a wobble q 2 week referral.  Four hours later my phone rang and I had an appointment for the next day . 

The procedure itself didn't hurt.  Yes I was frightened and felt dizzy and shaky afterwards   but I was reminded to breath and this helped . . She said I wouldnt need stitches and they would cuaterise it   but let's see.. how we go .Her words it didn't curl and she placed a stich inside .

I had asked if I would be fit for work the next day and she said you should be fine   

I won't swear but my ****** sptings to mind .I did make it into work but I wasn't fine . I took lots of meds regularly but I'm now not sure if the ibuprofen played havoc with my tummy or if the c word and further treatment was getting to me . .

My advise to anyone having this procedure is .. honestly it wasn't painful . 3 out of 10 .  But once it woke up it was and still is day 5   I bailed on work day 3 and I wonder would I of been better not going in . 

If you work alone don't need to speak be polite and can communicate with sign language then yes you will be fine .

I've found the nurofen/ibuprofen mix (new ) have been the best  thing  

Worryingly I seem to have a white thick streak  of tissue  that is causing me more pain than the actual hole /ulcer .

The stich I needed bled so she tweaked it but in 1.5 hours that had made its way out and was sat on yhe top of my tongue . Not sure if that has hindered the healing . But I'm salting and using the gel toothpaste they recommended. 

I'm.obviously hoping it's not anything horrific . But would love  someone to advise what I can expect from an oral lichen planus diagnosis. 

Above allif anyone is having this procedure soon please tell your work you won't be in and recover at home .

Hi

i had a tongue biopsy about 10 days ago (side of tongue) with stitches that fell out. I'd agree it's super painful afterwards. It was getting better the past two days but now I've noticed a firm raised white cover over the wound and more painful again. Anyone else have that? 
thanks

Hi Robin

How is it all feeling now ? Any update on why it became more painful ? 
 

Elsie 

I am 5 days in, after my tongue biopsy and the pain is off the chart. I read somewhere that one was able to return to work on the same day!!!!!!!! Are they kidding? I am taking two co-codamol  and two Ibrufon, three times a day  and if I touch the wound in error I cannot explain the pain.. Could a stitch be too tight. I hope you all feel much better soon

Ailsa

I agree with you 100% re not being ok for work.  I am 5 days in and still am off work. The pain is awful, to eleviate the pain you have to drug yourself up. Not a good look at work!! Stay home and rest. 

Oh my! I had a biopsy on my tongue under general anaesthetic 6 days ago and I’m still in so much pain. I thought I would be okay to return to work after 2days! After day 4 I was finally able to open my mouth enough to see the procedure as they also took asample from the side of my mouth so not sure if this is causing the extra pain. 

I wasn’t given any leaflets about what to expect really and no one has looked in my mouth since before the procedure. 
mom feeling a bit better now knowing other people have experienced this pain too and it’s not just me being silly.