 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | This is not a very common procedure. Most patients with a mandibulectomy have their jaw replaced with the fibular or hip bone, some even use cadaver bones. I had my mandibule originally replaced with a metal jaw. The free flap failed, the mental jaw was removed and the free flap was redone. Im now 15 months post surgeries and have had my first reconstruction surgery. I might be about as close as you can get to anyone having a similar procedure as your father. I can tell you that is a very long road to recovering from this type of surgery. It takes a good 6 months before the swelling subsides and he feels somewhat back to normal. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have, I will be happy to help you.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
