Brian's posts sums up the advice I was given at my CCC very nicely. As the ENT put it, we wanted to "spare" you the surgery if at all possible. I can personally testify about the downsides of BOT surgery, even when it is done by skilled surgeons at a CCC after a first course of radiation and chemo. Of course in my case, the "salvage" surgery was then "savaged" by a second round of radiation and chemo due to the pathology reports of perineural involvement.
Still, I am healthy, can walk and talk so no matter what decision you make about surgery, just remember that in the end it will all work out.
Charm