I did not require the reconstruction. They had to remove the front portion and a bit less than 1/3 of the right side of my tongue. I had about 30 nodes removed from the right side of my neck and had a drain in place after the surgery. Tongue and neck were all puffed out and did hurt some. But it really didn't hurt for too long maybe a day or two then just mild after that. I did not have a trach. I felt pretty crappy when I got to the hospital room after the surgery but by the next morning was feeling loads better. I was allowed to go home the day after surgery. Armed with my pain and nausea meds of course. I got through it ok!! You will too!!! It was no where near as bad as I had envisioned. Denise

Oh about the function of the tongue that was left.... Well I think the front portion removal has had more effect than the side portion removal. I also had a tumor removed from the floor of my mouth on that side so they sewed the side of the tongue to the open area on the floor of mouth to close the area up. Main difference in function for me is I don't chew food on the right side of my mouth as my tongue can't really move the food around on that side. But I think that is due to the length being lessened and not due to the width being lessened. I hope that helps answer your question. I am trying different foods to chew on right side lately though. Denise

Corlis, the wait is the worst. My husband had left lateral hemiglossectomy 6/1. He has finished chemo and rads, only lost 5 pounds, no feeding tube or trach. The worst part was the 10 days post op where there was a big dressing on his tongue. He had no reconstruction and his tongue is functional.

Hope it went well and you have a smooth recovery! Denise

Corlis... you've had cancer now their doing a hemiglossectomy... I'm assuming due to more cancer...? I would most definitely be glad they didn't get you into the trial. if this is your second go around with this cancer. Ask for rads and chemo.

hugs.