My flap is still painful and no one can tell me why. When I put my tongue to the roof of my mouth or to the floor or side of my mouth for that matter, the suture line is painful. Although I can't feel when food or water go on it, it's still painful.
I am 4 months out of surgery and the docs said it could be some deep sutures still trying to work their way out, but it could be that way the rest of my life.
Same with my "free-flap" transplant site and the blood vessel incision. Docs say it shouldn't hurt, but it does.
As for the speech, i have the lisp and I can't say my L's or R's very well but otherwise I am ok. Docs say it should get better when my lymphedema is taken care of, but eh, you work with what you have to to get through.