Good luck to you. I had a racial neck dissection about 18 months ago. All went well and according to plan. Healing process from surgery was actually pretty fast. I opted for it on the front end with radiation to follow as my daughter's wedding was 6 weeks off when I was diagnosed.

Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".