Hi, My husband just had the same surgery on Dec. 5th. We are home now and he is slowly getting better. It was very traumatic as a caregiver. Honestly my knees buckled when I first saw him in ICU. But then It became familiar and I think it might look worse than it is. Reggie is now taking sips of water very well. He says he can't feel it but it's not coming back out his mouth so I know he is swallowing. It's all about baby steps. Good luck today.