Incision numbness ....... head, ear

[Denisex2boys]

I am sure this is one of the post-operative issues - right?  I am two weeks out of surgery and the back of my head on the incision side is literally like hammering on a tree trunk - there is absolutely no feeling directly along the incision site or the ear itself - it is creepy ..... some of the numbess appears to be wearing off as I am getting some 'bruising like pain' along the jawline and such.

Anyone?

[cin605]

all of the feeling still isn't back behind my ear its still pretty numb ...i was told this is way normal...mine still even swells up some days.my surgery was 6/26/2008

[chocolatetruffle]

yes, it is pretty normal - mine was numb for first few months. as long as there is no tear on your incision or any leakage, you are okay.  your body is doing all the healing but do check with your doctor if you have any doubts. 

[Tamara]

I've still got large areas of numbness, but figured that was better than pain

Tammy

[MAlegant]

Yes, normal. If it is already improving it will probably continue to improve.  Hang in there, you are doing so well!
Marci

[leapyrtwins]

As others have said, yes, this is perfectly normal.

I had my surgery on 5/31/07 and my head is still numb.  Not as numb as it was the first weeks and months post op, but not "normal" either.

The numbness was actually kind of a blessing during my BAHA surgery.  When my doc injected the lidocaine into my head I didn't feel a thing.  I had to ask him if he'd injected it 
so, sometimes numbness can have it's advantages 

Jan

[Sue]

This is one of the things surgeons don't mention when you have surgery.  They have to cut through all those nerves and that leaves the area numb until those nerves regenerate.  When I had my hysterectomy, the skin on either side of the incision line for a few inches was totally numb. Some of it still is in fact, after more than 20 years.  I remember being back at work, after 6 weeks, and I would get a sudden electrical shock along that area and I actually would wince and gasp with the sharpness of it, and my co-workers would ask me what was wrong.  Oh, just healing, I'd say.  But , gee, it was such a quick jab to the gut and it was very irritating and a bit painful! 

I wish my facial nerve would regenerate or heal or whatever, because I have facial numbness and I DON'T LIKE IT!  I deal with it, but doesn't mean I have to like it!
 

Sue in Vancouver USA

[Jim Scott]

Denise:

Yep, normal.  I had it too.  The numbness slowly diminished over a 12 month period but the area still isn't quite as it was, pre-surgery  Not a problem, just a consequence of skull surgery (or any incision, as Sue noted).  Ask your doctor for his medical opinion about the numbness , but I wouldn't be too concerned about this.

Jim

[Debbi]

Denise-
Normal.  And, according to my doctor, I may never get full feeling back in some spots.  The only part that really wigs me out is my upper ear - can't feel a darned thing when I touch it!  However, I'll take numb over pain. 


Debbi

[wendysig]

Denise,
I've even noticed that some of the numbness comes and goes --- very strange but I would guess it's just the nerves firing and misfiring and also normal would be my guess.  My ear especially gains and loses feeling as does the area inside the top of my incision -- go figure!  I agree with everyone else, I'd rather have areas of numbness than pain.

Wendy

[vjgfamily]

Perfectly normal.  It will get better and better...but it may be slow.

VERL