Dent in my head

[alwaysthere]

I have developed a dent behind my ear where my surgery was. It doesn't hurt or anything, but I was wonering if anyone else has had this happen. It's big enough that my thumb fits in it pretty good. My head and ear are still very tender even after 4 1/2 months. but I figured that was normal.

Patty

[Dan]

Patty,
I also have a dent behind the ear.  It took almost 6 months for the swelling to go away and when it was gone the dent was there.  Dr. said that the fat that they use to fill the hole doesn't always completely fill the hole.  Unless it is painful I wouldn't worry about it, but I'm no expert so I would aslo say ask your Dr. the next time you see him.  From my experience it sounds like everything is normal for 4 1/2 months post OP.

Dan in Germany

[Brendalu]

Patty,

I think it must be pretty normal.  I have a "dent" also, but mine is tender, which amazes me because I have no feeling on that side of my head or neck except where the dent is!!  The area where the  bow of my glasses hits, hurts.  So much so that I am looking into contacts once again.  I've tried them a couple of times before, unsuccessfully, but hey third time is a charm so I am hoping it will be for me!!
I asked my doctors about my dent and was told that the skull didn't close as they hoped it would because of swelling of my brain, that the steroids didn't help because I couldn't take them long enough (I developed a severe case of thrush).  I figured it was just an answer to get me off their backs.  I'm hoping you will ask your doctor and post his or her answer!

Good luck,
Brenda

[TP]

My dent behind my ear is about 2 inches long and a little over 1/2 inch deep for most of the 2 inches. It does not hurt at all. Although when I sleep on that side it sometimes is irritating.

[leapyrtwins]

I have a dent, also.

Jan

[Debbi]

Me too!  I always refer to it as "the crater".  Last time I was at the hair salon, a new woman was shampooing my hair and I forgot to warn her.  When she got to that part of my head, she got a very concerned look on her face and yanked her hand away - I'm pretty sure she thought she'd broken my head!   

My dock also says it is perfectly normal and has something to do with the fat.  Jeez, why can't the fat in my butt get smaller???

Debbi

[wendysig]

Patty,
I also have a dent behind the ear.  It took almost 6 months for the swelling to go away and when it was gone the dent was there.  Dr. said that the fat that they use to fill the hole doesn't always completely fill the hole.  Unless it is painful I wouldn't worry about it, but I'm no expert so I would also say ask your Dr. the next time you see him.  From my experience it sounds like everything is normal for 4 1/2 months post OP.

Dan in Germany

Patty,

Many docs, but not all correct the defect caused by drilling with titanium mesh/plates or other means -- this is called a cranioplasty and  is often done in addition to filling the voice left by surgery with a fat graft.  It is also standard operating procedure to just do the fat graft, seal the bone and close the surgical site, and many docs do this.  Those patients who don't have the cranioplasty (and maybe some who do?) end up with an indentation behind their ear.  Unless you have problematic symptoms, this is normal.

Wendy

[alwaysthere]

Thanks for the replys. Debbi, you made my day with what you said. I just laughed and laughed. Sounds like something I would say. Thanks for the pick me up this morning.

Patty

[leapyrtwins]

I have fat, mesh, and a plate - but still have a dent.  It doesn't bother me though and no one but me and my hairdresser know it's there.

Funny story, Debbi    I just had a new hairdresser a couple of months ago and I didn't want to surprise her so I showed her my BAHA abutment prior to the shampoo.  I thought she'd fall over dead with shock.  She kept asking me if it was okay to get it wet - like I haven't been washing my hair for the past 20 months 

Patty, forgot to say that the tenderness @ 4 1/2 months is perfectly normal.  Although I just had numbness that seemed to last forever, some have tenderness.  Time heals; one of these days the tenderness will leave you.

Jan

[nteeman]

Yes, count me in with a dent in the head. More like a golf divot    I had the titanium mesh and head Spackle, no fat graft, and there is a slight indentation on the far side of my scar. Most people can not notice it even when I point it out to them. Doc said it healed fine and that is it.

Neal

[tenai98]

Dont think I have a dent in the head...ENT tried to find the hole and couldnt....They put fat in hole, and sewed me up....no mesh no bone plaster, Not sure if they put bone back in...still have to ask neurosurgeon when i see him in 3 weeks...
JO

[Cheryl R]

I have quite a crater of a dent too since had the translab and then the CSF leak surgery.         I always add that the CSF leak was due to the hospitals use of a new gel product and 3 people got leaks so went back to the one they used before.      
We forgot  to have a biggest dent contest at the symposium!          Darn!             It bothers me to wash that area as just feels so weird!                              Cheryl R

[lori67]

I am dented too.  It doesn't hurt and isn't tender, but it's a pain in the neck when I put on my glasses.  That top of that ear is closer to the side of my head and I can't just slide my glasses on - I have to kind of maneuver them over and behind that ear.  Really, not a big deal, but when you walk out into the bright sun and have your hands full and want to just quickly slide on your sunglasses, it can be a small inconvenience.

Yet another weird thing we have to live with that most people don't!  

Lori

[Raven]

Me too, actually I have a dent on both sides, I can feel them but really can't see them. Off topic - got my six month MRI last Friday, go back to my Dr. this Friday. I feel pretty good and can hear (in my only hearing ear) well but needless to say I'm a little nervous. I will report back Friday.

John

[texsooner]

I'm dented too....about a 2 inch long divot. No fat(in head), but have titanium mesh.

Patrick