Hi Shane,

My father had undergone surgery after he was diagnosed with Buccal Mucosa SCC. Though the cancer was not in his tongue, after the surgery, my father also was fitted with a feeding tube thtough his nose down to the stomach. During that time, he was also having thick saliva and it was ok after a few (1-2) weeks. Please check with your surgical oncology doctor/duty doctor/attending nurse or consultant also, they will be able to point in the right direction. One thing that I have learnt through my experience is to ask more and more questions, because doctors keep talking in medical terms which is sometimes not clear at all and asking more questions gives us also a confidence and solace. Good luck and take care..

Thanks and Regards,
Sid.