Maybe I did not fully understand. I'll have to ask. There was a graft taken from the thigh but I think that was used for the cheek area and mostly fell off.

Even though the tumor was on the soft palate. The whole length of the hard palate was cut and the gum is exposing the tooth on one side.
The surgeon is well known and the residents were impressed by the stitching etc.
I did have a 'difficult' recovery with bleeding from the hard palate however.

An obturator was recommended but eventually scarred tissue filled in as it took me a long time to prepare for radiation.

The part that I don't get is that the surgeon has to try and see if it fits.