I did not require the reconstruction. They had to remove the front portion and a bit less than 1/3 of the right side of my tongue. I had about 30 nodes removed from the right side of my neck and had a drain in place after the surgery. Tongue and neck were all puffed out and did hurt some. But it really didn't hurt for too long maybe a day or two then just mild after that. I did not have a trach. I felt pretty crappy when I got to the hospital room after the surgery but by the next morning was feeling loads better. I was allowed to go home the day after surgery. Armed with my pain and nausea meds of course. I got through it ok!! You will too!!! It was no where near as bad as I had envisioned. Denise