Hi Cheryl: I agree, the saliva gland should just be removed, I had read somewhere else that it will recover later, makes me wonder if the surgeon knows what he is doing. Son had an appt. with the dental surgeon at the hospital today which is part of the routine before radiation and chemo treatments. He is very mad and upset, can't open his mouth properly and thought it was part of healing process, the dentist told him they stitched it up too tightly in his mouth, he will never be able open any wider. Can I mention the surgeon's name so others will go to someone else???? I told my son to insist on an appt. with the surgeon as well as the Dr. who said he was a pioneer in this type of oral cancer surgery and who assisted. Most likely he won't get to talk to anyone until after the long weekend.