Im very sorry to read about what you are facing. Its a difficult surgery with a long recovery. Of course this depends on so many things like tumor location and size, patients overall health status, age, how much is being removed, even the experience of the surgeon plays a roll in this. Ive had a mandibulectomy as well... twice! Ive know several others who have been thru it too. This is one of those things where every single person's experience is unique. I had a rough time while several friends sailed right thru it without having visible scars unless someone knows and looks for them.

Im surprised you will not have a trach! That is normally a given with this type of surgery. Same goes with a feeding tube. Most patients have significant swelling and need those items to get thru at least the first few weeks of their recovery.

If i were you I'd expect to be in the hospital for at least 2-3 weeks and not feeling the best for a month or more after surgery. You may be kept asleep for the first couple days after your operation, so prepare your loved ones that its routine and perfectly normal. You could have significant swelling and be kept in the ICU your first week or so. Drains are likely to be used to help remove any fluid buildup. Infection is something the hospital staff are very careful with. I'll be completely honest with you... for me it was not only a very painful procedure but recovery was very long as well! I had complications so my memories of this arent the most positive ones. Make certain your doc sets you up to have 2 different pain meds. This way you dont have to wait until the right time if you are feeling alot of pain. You can switch back and forth between the 2 so you can stay as comfortable as possible thru your hospitalization. Dont be shocked if you are slow to bounce back... its a major surgery and will take you a while to get back to normal, maybe a year, maybe more especially with having rads. You may have skin graphs and/or staples used to lessen scarring. Its definitely not something I would ever want to experience again in my life but it is necessary and doable. Make sure you round up people you can have stay with you while you are hospitalized. If possible get people to stay 24/7, even if you are sleeping. Its a huge help to have someone run interference between you and the medical team when you wake up from this major surgery. Dont be surprised if you dont remember much of your hospital stay.

Children are resilient, much more than parents realize. Talk with your son and prepare him to see you looking a little different until you heal. Teach him about OC and how it negatively impacts your life. Kids are smart and really want to know about things, especially with it happening to you right in front of him. When your son is 12 (before he is sexually active) get the guardisil shots for him to protect him from many HPV+ diseases like anal cancer, oral cancer (base of tongue/tonsils), genital warts and a few other preventable HPV+ diseases.

Ask questions and we'll try to help you as much as we can. Good luck!!!