Should I go to a&e with this? Am I a timewaster?

[Vanillacheesecake1]

Hi, genuinely cannot think straight and can’t tell if I should go to a&e or wait for the gp in the morning

basically I had plastic surgery on the skin at the top face 3 days ago. I had all the normal post surgery pain and tightness and I’ve to wear a compression bandage around my forehead which isn’t particularly comfortable either. But all within the expected amount for after surgery. My post op aftercares were all fine and they said the pain/tightness was normal

but tonight it’s taken a different turn and there’s no out of hours number for the private surgery company to ask. I’ve got a sharp pain at the right side top of my head/scalp (about 3 inches above the area of surgery). It’s excruciating and worse when I move my head especially turning it to the right. But weirdly, as a result of the surgery, I have absolutely no sensation in the top of my scalp at all (I knew this was an after effect of it for up to 6 months) but it’s weird because the area that’s sore is the area that I have no sensation in. Like I can touch the area and am not aware I’m even touching it, but yet I can feel an excruciating pain so I don’t know how that works. I also keep getting a really weird sensation like a cold dribble feeling as if it’s spurting blood and it’s dribbling down my head but there’s absolutely nothing. I can tolerate that but the pain is getting worse and it feels totally different to the other pain/tightness I’ve had which was normal. It started 2 hours ago, cocodomol isn’t helping it at all whereas it was helping the other normal post surgery pain but that all felt sort of achey whereas this is like a sharp stabbing pain.

I can just about get myself positioned in a way that it doesn’t hurt but I had a short nap and I woke up and it still wasn’t better. It’s not particularly swollen or red or hot and I’ve been taking antibiotics after the surgery but I’m just worried about the pain. As I’m typing I’ve got myself into that position that it doesn’t hurt too much but as soon as I move it’s like there’s a knife through my head.

would I be unreasonable to go to A&E for this when I’m otherwise fine? I just don’t know if this pain is normal post op but they don’t have an out of hours number to call and ask and I’m worried about it getting worse and no painkillers is helping it. But since it’s a private surgery, if it is something wrong it’s my own fault for getting the surgery and not a true accident or emergency so not sure if it’s ok to go to A&E for this? I don’t want to be a timewaster but it’s really, really sore. Or is this the kind of thing that you power through and call the private surgery number in the morning and maybe see the GP if necessary in the morning?

sorry, I’m absolutely exhausted after the last few days and can’t think straight so any help would be appreciated x

I think I'd go in.

I'd definitely go to A&E tonight.

I would go too

Could you phone 111 and see what they advise?

Personally if no redness, hotness, extra swelling I’d wait until morning and call private provider.

I suspect it needs the surgeon to look at it, can’t imagine A and E would be able to do much? Especially since it doesn’t sound like it is an infection.

I'd be worried about infection with these symptoms

yes, please get checked out that doesn’t sound right

I would definitely go.

In fact, OP this could potentially be nerve damage caused by the surgery

Tbh that was my thoughts too- I don’t know what I expect them to do when i don’t this it’s an infection. It’s just so, so painful, right now I’m lying in a weird position because otherwise it’s like I’ve got a knife through my head. I’ve tried taking cocodamol and the only other non paracetamol painkillers we have is ibuprofen but they said not to take that after the surgery for pain (or aspirin either) if I thought it was clear cut an infection I would defs go straight there but it’s not even painful on the surgery site it’s above it, it’s just so weird because the entire top of my scalp is numb (expected) but then in the middle of it I’ve got this knife pain. I could actually cry, I was so stressed about this surgery and it’s been so painful and I really hope it’s all worth it in the end x

we’ve got a thermometer in the house but it’s an ear one and I don’t think I can get an accurate temperature with it because the bandage I’m wearing goes over my head and round under my chin and covers my ears so whenever I’m taking my temperature it’s coming up really hot but I think that’s mainly because the bandage is covering my ears if you see what I mean, I don’t feel feverish or like I’ve got a temperature I just feel a bit sick but I think that’s more to do with how painful it is x

Sorry, as dumb as this sounds- if it’s nerve damage from the surgery is that something serious that I should go to a&e for, or is that a side effect that would be unpleasant but not serious and can wait until the private surgeon sees it again? Sorry I’m completely clueless with all of this

Depending on the private provider they'd likely just say head to A&E anyway.

It sounds like nerve pain - does it sort of feel like you've whacked your funny bone? Could also be an overly tight stitch.

If you’re sure it’s not an infection( check for swelling, redness, heat, oozing/ pus build up) and you’re not feeling feverish or cold. I would guess that it’s nerve damage and can wait until the morning

I would go in.

the cold dribbling sensation is likely to be nerve related too. I'd at least call 111 for advice.

Have a read here. It sounds likely what you are experiencing

https://www.changepain.com/know-your-pain/post-surgical-neuropathic-pain#:~:text=Post%2Dsurgical%20neuropathic%20pain%20(PSNP,nerves%20were%20damaged%20during%20surgery.&text=Damaged%20nerves%20cannot%20correctly%20transmit,for%20months%20or%20even%20years.

I would go to a and e, Op.

I would go for a check. They will be able to give you better pain relief too.

Don’t worry about wasting anybody’s time. You just had an operation so it’s totally reasonable to want to confirm everything is ok, put your health first.

Quoting myself because I forgot to say that if it's nerve pain, normal painkillers won't touch it - you'll need something like gabapentin.

just hold off. third day post op your wound will be getting tight and tingly anyway. it is usually a sign of healing.

@Vanillacheesecake1 I would go in and get checked over. I think you need some stronger painkillers

Thank you (and to everyone else)

I think I was just especially worried because it was a private operation IYSWIM and was worried it was cheeky to go to A&E and use the NHS for this because it’s not fair for them to have to pay for it (probably massively overthinking it but I’m so tired and miserable and my brain is mush)