Paul...I am no help to you, since I have a hard palate defect and wear a prosthetic for that. It is totally different, I know, and your problems are more complex than mine. I just wanted you to know that there is "company" out here that understands a little of what you are going through. Luckily, my surgery stopped just short of affecting my soft palate. I will be interested in following the responses to your post. I, too, have some decisions to make soon, concerning whether or not to have reconstructive surgery. I just can't make them now, and I am hoping that time will make some things clearer and will make the decision easier. Good Luck!