Cat, I had the surgery to replace half of my lower jaw. It was a difficult surgery but VERY doable and I came through it quite well. My jaw is stiffer on that side, but it still moves well and I have no issues with opening my mouth, etc. The bone from my leg was used, along with some tissue, arteries, etc. Let me know if you have any questions. Here is a picture of me from December that shows the surgery is not deforming.
[img]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/minnieashworth/summer2005andChristmas2005772.jpg[/img]

SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.