Sometimes a patient will contact us a few days or a week after the operation and say “It feels like something is stuck in my throat. Is this normal?” Yes, this is normal and can be present for a few days, and very rarely for a week or two. Do not worry about this. You are still healing!
All the stitches we use will dissolve
The muscles in your neck are healing, and during that time things can feel sore or “tight” when you swallow. It always gets better. Sometimes swallowing can feel “different” for a few weeks after the operation – this is normal too and will improve as everything heals. Remember, even if your incision looks perfect on the outside, there is still a lot of healing going on inside your neck for weeks after the operation (which is true for every operation, anywhere in the body). The tissues were sewn together with stitches that dissolve over 3-5 weeks, so give it time. It will get back to normal with time as it heals.
If this is bothering you, then please take 400mg of Advil (ibuprofen, Motrin) daily for a few days. This will help with the healing and inflammation. Time will make it better!