HI Trebs... The surgery is not fun. However in comparison to radiation - its a breeze. IMHO. That said you will be swollen, and stitched from the dissection. Likely there will be minimal pain as they cut the nerves. You will probably have the drains for a few days then they will remove them. This feels odd, but not entirely painful. You'll just be happy they are GONE.

Because they are operating in your mouth you will be swollen there too. I am not sure if you are getting a trache - I would ask if you are. This makes a difference post op as you will likely not be able to speak for a few days. Bring a paper and pencil or something to communicate with - Ipad?

The mouth may mean you might also have an NG tube in place. This is not painful just a pain. They need to give your mouth time to heal so they will restrict foods and fluids.

The neck dissection will require you to have physio for your shoulder at some point. they cut a primary muscle when they do the surgery. If you do physio you will regain most function. My arm still gets tired more easily than the other but I have about 98-99% normalcy in it.

I had a portion of my tongue removed as well, and a graft put in. So I looked like I'd been hit by a train for about 2 weeks. You may only look like you've been hit by a fiat 500.. wink

Seriously though. It's an okay surgery and you will likely heal quickly if you have no other health issues.

hugs and best of luck and try not to worry.







Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan