Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 7/14/2008

Question
I am a 46 year old school teacher in south florida and I am recovering from major back surgery.  My wonderful physician found so much scar tissue he had to remove it before the procedure began.  THanks to him I am already feeling the benefits of my surgery except for as he says is a reaction to anesthesia and will probably clear up in a few months.  I would love to have this confirmed because I am so nervous.  I know on the right side of my head numbness almost what feels like the shot you get before you have dental work.  On the same side I have drool coming out of the right side of my mouth, and last two of my toes on the right side also feel this way.  Please help.

Answer
I am a little confused...The numbness you have is on your face, you have drooling AND your toes are numb. I can't imagine all of this is from anesthesia. The forehead numbness might be but that should go away in a couple of days. The drooling doesn't make sense and the toes is more likely related to your surgery and not the anesthesia. Whatever the case, I suggest seeing a neurologist to work up these findings to make sure there is no underlying problem here.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston