Anita,
I had the fibula reconstruction of the mandible in January and am very pleased with the results. It is a very complicated but "elegant" surgery. I am amazed with the whole procedure. It is hard on everyone - the surgeons put in such long hours of complicated work, the family waits forever and then the patient is in the ICU for days and then in the hospital for a while and there is the long recuperation at home and afterward. It seemed much longer and more involved than the original surgery.

HOWEVER - the fears and unknown factors of cancer aren't there. I feel that the surgery was very much worth having and am glad that I did it. I found that my speech and swallowing improved and am pleased that the center of my chin is almost perfectly lined up under the centerline down from my nose. I am disappointed that I am not a candidate for furter prothodontal dental work to give me more teeth but am reasured by the fact although it did cost a lot for dental apraisals and I mayy have be able to recover some of the $$ I had the the best possible advice in that area.

If you would like to talk, pleas PM me.
Malka