Your Recovery

Salivary gland surgery, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, simple skin cancer surgery, diagnostic procedures and smaller head and neck procedures may be able to be done as day surgery or be restricted to a 1-2 night stay in hospital.

Most people having microvascular reconstructive head and neck surgery will spend 1-2 weeks in hospital. This may include a short stay in intensive care before you are moved to a bed in a different area of the hospital.

Your anaesthetist and surgical team will monitor how you respond immediately after your operation and give you medicine to control any pain and nausea.

You may have surgical drains to allow blood and lymph fluid to drain away from surgical sites and dressings to prevent swelling. 

You may also have a temporary drip for fluids and a catheter to drain your bladder.  

Depending on your procedure, you may also have a feeding tube or a breathing tube as discussed with Dr Wykes prior to your surgery.

Head and neck surgery can be overwhelming and it’s normal to feel a bit upset. Your care team will be there to help you feel as comfortable as possible.

During your hospital stay, your recovery will be closely monitored by Dr Wykes and members of his team. 

You will begin eating and drinking as soon as possible after surgery. For complex head and neck procedures requiring microvascular free flap reconstruction, you may require a feeding tube via your nose or stomach to support your nutritional requirements.

You will be encouraged to sit up and start moving as soon as possible to help your recovery.

A physiotherapist may help you with exercises for breathing and movement.

A speech pathologist may help you with exercises for swallowing and talking.

You may have several places where Dr Wykes has used stitches and dressings to close wounds after your surgery.

Your nurse will pay special attention to the dressings used to cover your wounds for any sign of infection.

If you notice any redness, pain, lumps, swelling, discharge or have a fever this may indicate that you have an infection, and you should tell someone immediately.

If you have had a free flap reconstruction, your flap will be checked regularly to see if there is enough blood flow to the area. It is normal not to feel pain or any sensation.

If you have had a skin graft, your dressings may stay in place for several weeks after going home. A community nurse or your GP will take over to monitor and change any dressings.

If you have had surgery for head and neck cancer, or had some lymph nodes removed, it can affect the flow of lymph fluid.

When fluid builds up, it can cause swelling around your neck, face and throat.

This condition called lymphoedema and it can develop at any time during or after treatment. Radiation treatment can also damage lymph nodes and increase your risk.

Other signs of lymphoedema include redness, tightness, aching, tingling or ‘feeling different’ – so it’s important to tell your care team if things don’t ‘feel right’.

Staying active, eating well and maintaining a healthy weight will help the flow of lymph fluid and prevent lymphoedema.

If you do develop lymphoedema, Dr Wykes and your care team will recommend specific treatments for the affected areas.

This booklet by the Cancer Council is a useful resource for understanding lymphoedema.