Neversmoke,
The answers to your questions are 1. close to half of my tongue was removed...I had a tumor on the lateral left and they made the cut in the shape of a banana. 2. I was offered reconstructive surgery and advised to take it because of how much tongue they were taking. 3. The functionality with the remaining portion is amazing! Even with the right side being the only active portion of tongue left I have started to maneuver food from the left side to the right. My taste buds are in tact and I still have a great palet. The only drawback was they used part of my chin...which I now have hairy tongue...Its not really an issue and is hard for others to see since its on the lateral side.

Fish