I had carotid artery surgery 11 months ago.. incision is from earlobe to collar bone . everything to the front of the incision is still numb. normal?

Yes: Nerve to the skin area that has become numb has been cut and probably was unavoidable.

Common: Numbness near a carotid artery surgery incision is quite common and does not indicate a problem this may last for a year or more, but, usually becomes less of an issue over time. It is due to the cutting of microscopic nerves to the skin and is most often a nuisance only.