Hi Mandi,
The definition of "resectable" in Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary is (I added the opposite meaning):

(Un)Resectable: (Un)Able to be removed, esp. by surgical means. Usually used in reference to malignant growths that can (not) be removed completely by use of surgery.

In my case they also told me the surgery was "too invasive" (like radiation ISN'T!?) - it was the standard radical neck disection, 14 hr procedure, with pect flap, followed by radiation. They also stated that my odds were just as good with radiation and chemo only (actually a little better based on possibility of infection). They never said it was unresectable.

I am sure that the location, size, metastesis, differentiation, response potential to radiation and/or chemo, invasiveness, classification and type of the tumor are all factors. Post procedure lifestyle is a minor issue.

It's probably part judgement call. I would discuss it with the doctors who made the call to find out what their rationalization and/or practice guidelines were at the time.