Oral cancer patients who smoked comprise 75% of all patients. Oral cancer patients who return to smoking or continue to, are vastly more likely to have a recurrence than those who give up tobacco... in fact while the statistics are not current, continuing to smoke will just about guarantee it. Smokers have the highest failure rates for grafts in studies currently underway. I guess by this point, my point is clear.

I have seen patients who seem agitated from nicotine withdrawal in the hospital environment, while others become so for explainable psychological reasons not related to the withdrawal process. If the graft fails, it will be removed. Poor vascularization is not a good indicator for successful in grafts. It should take less than 4 weeks to determine if this graft is going to be successful or not. We have many posters here who have been through the procedure, and I will leave that portion of your question (what to expect) to them. I wish her the best possible outcome.

Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.