AS I have not been able to open my mouth much due to the lock jaw, I havent had a really good look at my tongue. Today after some accupuncture my mouth was much less stiff and I had a really good look. It appears that the tongue, or at least scar tissue at the site of surgery, has fused to both the floor of my mouth and partly to my very back molars. I was able to get a finger in there painfully and push it off the teeth but the part that is stuck to the floor of my mouth is stuck solid and hurts to try and push it off. I think its scar tissue- I do have a tendency toward kelloid tissue. Has anyone had this happen? I've made an appointment to see my doctor tomorrow but I'm terrified of having to have more surgery
help please!

Since your surgery was only last month it is still swollen. It can take months for swelling to completely subside. If you are worried then you are doing the right thing with seeing the doctor. Its not possible to tell you what it is over the computer. Just cuz it doesnt look right to you that doesnt mean you will need any future operations.

thanks Christine. Its swollen yes but also stuck to the bottom of my mouth which is worrying

saw my doc- nothing to worry about
Its not stuck just very stiff. need to keep doing the tongue exercises and use my fingers to move the tongue around so it doesn't atrophy. phew

Phew is right!!!

Glad that you do not have a problem. When in doubt, always go see a doctor. Bet you feel so relieved!!!!

yes relieved
but still worreid about long term effects- I guess it will never be the same again. It still seems that the side that was operated on has more attached to the floor of mouth than the other side does- but I guess that's because they've cut a centimetere off it and I'm looking at like it should be the same as the other side. I'm worried I'll never be able to kiss my partner passionatley again or talk without a lisp.

For those who've had a similar partial glossectomy (without a free flap) - what's it like kissing now? Do you still have speech defects?

That can last a long time. I still can't atick this part of a tongue out. Don't try to force it out as you could make it worse and create hugh pain. LOL I just had to return a call to the Lodge and that poor guy could only understand part of our conversation. I ended up spelling what I had to tell him. So go easy and like everything, it takes time.

My tongue actually did get "tied" by scar tissue after my mandiblectomy. When I had the nerve graft surgery they clipped the scar tissue anchoring my tongue and did another skin graft rebuilding some of the lining in my mouth to help function. Now my function isn't great but it works and eating solids, talking is better.

My tongue is actually "tethered" (surgeon's terminology) to the floor of my mouth from the surgery, but the surgeon had told me going into the surgery that it would be. I can't stick my tongue out very far either. I guess eventually I will get used to it. Will be interesting the first time I go to get my teeth cleaned!

My tongue was a bit tethered from the biopsy to remove SCC from the floor of my mouth and the second excision removing the carcinoma in situ (most of the floor on the right side) furthered the tethering. I can't stick my tongue out but fortunately can move it around fairly well two months post surgery.

As a massage therapist I frequently massage scars on my clients. Adhesions often form under scars but the connective tissue forming these adhesions can be softened up by gentle pressure and massage. I get a finger in there and gently press on the areas where it hurts and gently inch my finger along the scar. Slowly the tissue begins to give way and I have more mobility. My doc says I can't hurt anything so I do this regularly- in privacy of course! :-) It's not a permanent fix but it does help. Good luck!

thanks Catherine- that sounds exactly like what I have and its been nearly 2 months for me too. Will try massaging. It makes sense to massage the scar as I massage the neck scar also

My tongue is also anchored to the floor of mouth and I have ulcer in right rear. I had surgery 4-22-14, back to Dr several times, he said to exercise tongue and massage it, now worst so swollen the teeth are making intention in tongue. I'm worried about the ulcer and swelling but I know it takes time. Had recent CT and another biopsy to rule out more cancer Negative. I will keep up my home work go back to ENT Nov. 2014. I did not have radiation said I didn't it. Speech OK