Fibscap,

I had a fibula free flap for osteoradionecris about two years ago. I chose the fibula, although a scapula was offered, but it’s a little thicker, and I wasn’t having a lot of tissue transferred. I have some difficulty walking from the weight loss 10 years ago (130 lbs), and neuropathy, but I didn’t want to add any arm paralysis from radiation I already had (left arm is totally parlayzed now), so I chose the fibula, which surgery took 8 hours.

I also needed vascularity and nerve in the jaw as prior surgeries took them out, so they had to cut into my chest to take a cardiac artery and vein.

Like others, I was out of it for 2 or 3 days. I went from post op to the step down unit, which was very good care. About the 3rd 4th day they took out the trache and put in the speaking valve, which was so much better than using the writing board or hand signals. I could never use the iSpeak app on my phone as it was too small and blurry after surgery.

I was in step down for 7days, but chose to go to a rehab facility than go home. I was there about two months. I had the trache fistula for a
Month before it closed, so I had to cover the fistula before I spoke.

I was in nursing rehab 2 or 3 months, whatever
My insurance covered. The donor site on my leg took 5 months to heal, after they decided to take a graft from groin, did the leg finally start to heal.(btw, I have diabetes so the leg and other wounds o not heal properly).

I hope this helps!