Hi Ann Marie
I was surprised to see you had had no replies to your message.(Maybe you were emailed?)I only have limited experience of the appliance. I had surgery on March 18th to remove a tumour in my upper jaw. I also lost half my upper jaw and so had to have an obturator to enable me to speak and eat. This is only a temporary device until after healing is fully complete following my radiotherapy which starts May 1th for 6 weeks. I am grateful for the benefits of the device as when i take it out for cleaning I can't speak at all and if I try to rinse my mouth out the liquid goes up my nose. ( The surgery has left a hole from my mouth into the sinus cavity.) I am getting used to having the device but it is still uncomfortable at times and my speech is not 100% - the odd whistle and some lisping, though most people say I sound fine. The main problem is that some food and liquid still goes up my nose because the hole is not sealed. I am told this will get better when i have a permanent device. Meanwhile all meals are accompanied by frequent nose blowing and the tissues always have to be at hand. I can still only eat soft foods - chewing is pretty near impossible. If you have any questions please get in touch either on the board or by emailing me. I assume you have now had your surgery. hope you are recovering well. Take care.
Maggie