Re: Tongue numbness

[Guest guest]

The numb tongue - the bane of my surgical outcome! The right side of

my tongue was completely numb for about 6-9 months. One day (about 6-

9 months post-op) I took a serious bite out of it and noticed a

little bit of soreness in that spot the next day (I didn't feel a

thing when I bit it). That was serious cause for celebration, and

even my OS was thrilled when I told him.

One year post-op I have a tiny bit of feeling in one spot - oddly

enough it's the spot where I bit it. No sensation on the surface, but

if I poke it pretty hard I can now feel a bit of pain down deep,

whereas before I couldn't. Oh, I can't taste on that side either. I'm

also still pretty numb in the lip/chin on that side too. Things seem

to be getting better - not day to day, but rather month to month I do

notice some improvement, so I'm hopeful.

Anyway, my OS said his patients that have numb tongues generally

regain feeling. Although of course that implies that some don't. Your

mouth will adapt to the numbness eventually, but it will take a

while. I can eat quite normally on either side now, although I still

nip my tongue once in a while. It makes me a very slow eater - I'm

usually just about 1/2 done when everyone else is finished.

Don't be too worried just yet. Talk to your OS, who'll probably

reassure you that the nerves are intact. Right now it's just a

waiting game, so you need to cultivate patience.

--Neil

> Hi there:

>

> 3 1/2 weeks post op from a lower jaw and genioplasty. I know there

is a lot of numbness

> with this (which I have). But the left 1/2 of my tongue is

completely numb making it very

> hard to eat as I keep biting it - I'm on soft soft foods after

being banded completely shut

> for 3 weeks.

>

> Have others out there had a numb tongue too? Did this come back

like the rest of the face

> (cheeks/chin/lips etc)?

>

> Thanks for the support. Greta