Thank you so much, Mike.

Your answers are clear & concise & believe me, reading them is less anxiety-provoking than talking about them. Plus, I couldn't fine\d practical answers anywhere on the 'net.

I've never had periodontal disease.

Blood thinner: Warfarin. I will be off it for 3 days before the surgery, but I clot even when I'm taking it. I've been taking it since 1992 (pulmonary emboli). Had DVT in 2002 & retinal clot in 2005 that resulted in partial blindness. Was tested - got one positive & 2 negatives for antiphospholipid syndrome but no diagnosis - why I clot is a mystery to blood drs. So my dr. makes sure my INR (clotting time) remains 2.5 to 3. Going off makes me nervous.

Swelling: Dr. didn't mention drain, just breathing tube & an extra day in ICU in case tongue swelled too much.

After effects: Dr. said right side of my lower lip will be numb but didn't think anything else would be affected because he's going in through the mouth, & he didn't think he would be removing lymph nodes.

Anxiety - Fear of surgery is worse than the event. I'll blame that on my mother. Plus, all those what ifs - I'm uncomfortable when I don't have precise answers. Afterward - well, I'm no Scarlet O'Hara.

I am (was) supposed to teach and give a short demonstration of ventriloquism & do a short performance July 5 at a kids' magic convention. Surgeon didn't think I'd be able to do it. Luckily, we don't need to make up the program until a couple days before the event. (See Anxiety, above.)

Thanks, again!

Marlene