Updating after surgery:
It took persistence on my part, but I did get anesthiologist to stop and listen to my concerns regarding intubation. They used a small size flexible tube with no problem. The RN anesthetist payed more attention and checked mouth opening and neck restrictions. That's when I knew it would be ok.

I wrote a note for recovery room to withhold oral liquids until fully awake, sitting up, and able to produce a vigorous cough.

Unfortunetly, problem was encountered reaching the kidney stone with laser equipment (happens in 5% of cases) so has to be repeated in 2 wks, but that's another story. On the one hand, this is minor compared to cancer and its tx., but we do feel increasing vulnerability with each subsequent medical issues.