Hope he doesn't need the neck dissection, but if he does, it's do-able.

I had my modified radical neck dissection nine months after chemo radiation ended. Like the others have said, it looks much more painful than it is. Docs did tell me that it would be "harder" because I already had radiation scarring in the area, and I found the pain involved to be very low level. For me, there are some long lasting side effects (firmness, numb spots, extra sensitive spots, altered range of motion for my right arm/shoulder and neck, etc.) Sounds very bad, but it's very manageable. I think with therapy, I might be able to elimate the limited motion issues. Most folks I think are out of the hosptial in three days. I really don't recall pain nearly as much as being irritated at not being able to roll over in bed until the drains came out (three or four days). Oh - and ask about using mouth spray - I was not permitted anything by mouth for the entire first day (surgery and recovery) - even that didn't phase me much (unconscious/groggy).