Charles,
I had my lower left jawbone removed and replaced with the small bone of my leg. They built me a gum and everything. Compared to the radiation the surgery was a BREEZE. 2 or 3 weeks out from surgery I was eating anything and everything I wanted. My jaw is a little stiff but I'm used to it now and I talk just as clearly as I did before. I still have a bit of "fullness" on that side of my jaw which gives my face a bit of an uneven look but it's not all that noticeable. The biggest issue I have is the loss of my bottom teeth on that side, whic will be taken care of with implants. So, don't fear the surgery. Sure it's difficult and scary but if you survived radiation you will consider the surgery a walk in the park.
Take care,
Minnie

SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.