Nay, welcome to OCF! This is a very good place to get correct medical info and support to help both you and your mother.

A mandibulectomy is a major operation. It is very complicated and yes it does have its risks that go along with it. The best thing you can do is make sure your mother is being treated at a top notch cancer center. In this type of situation a second opinion would probably be a very good idea as well.

Here is a list of easier to eat foods. This might be helpful to your mother since her eating is compromised.

List of Easy to Eat Foods


Usually after a mandibulectomy the doctors will want the patient to heal for a full year before they will attempt doing any reconstruction. I did have a plastic surgeon working right along with my ENT during my mandibulectomy surgery. But he would not do any other reconstruction until after I had healed for a year. As part of my check ups, I would also see my plastic surgeon right along with my ENT. It was one long year for recovering from the mandibulectomy. I had complications that not all patients will go thru so I may have had a rougher time than many others have.

I can honestly say my quality of life is not anywhere even close to what it was before i got cancer. I have many limitations but even with daily struggles, I have learned to adapt to my situation. I do live a very full and happy life. I find helping others is a very positive way to spend my time. Even if your mother has some facial disfigurement, she still can live a good life. Being different is not very easy with everyone so hung up on appearances. It takes a strong minded person to be able to overcome their insecurities and continue on with living their life as close to normal as possible when they have become disfigured. It can be done successfully but it takes alot of work to overcome any insecurities a person can have about their appearance. I still go out in public all the time, I have even done public speaking. For many people we are all own worst enemies and think we look much worse than we do. But to someone who really is disfigured, especially when its their face just going out in public can be a giant hurdle to get over. When I was recovering, I kept telling myself "time heals all wounds" and in time I was better.

Anita's husband and I went thru many of the same things around the same time. She is a great caregiver and Ive been lucky enough to meet her in person a few years ago. The info she has given you has been very good.

Wishing you all the best with everything! please dont hesitate to ask questions, we will help you as much as possible.

Best wishes!!!