Pat.... No bandage. A mix of self-dissolving and regular sutures (self-dissolving sutures in front of the ear and just behind the ear above the lobe) and staples. I applied Polysporin four times a day to keep the wound clean.

Did you have a blood drain for a couple of days? Mine was removed on the morning of the second day after the day of slice and dice. I spit blood profusely for about ten minutes upon waking in the morning of the third and fourth day, a little on the fifth, but none yesterday or today.

The doc had to cut one nerve, which will result in permanent numbness of at least the earlobe and a small area surrounding the lobe... time will tell the extent of paralysis. In order to prevent this nerve from growing out to the skin and causing me to sweat in one patch on the neck every time I salivate, the doc cut some neck muscle and folded it over the nerve. Plus, it fills in the hole.

That's the only pain that remains and it's gets less each day, although it still hurts like heck if I put any strain on it. The neck muscle should be strong enough to be able to turn my head as usuual in another week. Then, four weeks of strengthening before I can do any heavy work. I still can't lift my head without the aid of my left arm (right parotid was done) and it hurts to turn any more than about thirty degrees either way or to lift my arm above the shoulder.

Now, as long as the pathology on the tumour and lymph nodes come back as benign, I will be a happy camper.

What country do you live in? I am in Canada.

Good luck to you as well.