Hi Nick,
11.00 am here and at work so can add more later.
As you can see had the free flap since September 2006. Have had 4 operations since (mostly day surgery with general) to fine tune where the flap was joined to the tongue cry. My feeling is that too much flap was used. Still have one more op. to go.
On the positive side around 2 weeks after every op (of course not the original one) was able to eat reasonably well. No steak but fish OK. Have not lost taste.
Dry mouth overnight but saliva not too bad during day. Not sure but I think this becomes a problem with radiation.
I guess a lot depends on how much tongue you will lose. Have lot's of photo's taken of the months which would explain it better. More later.
Gabriele

History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.

1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family