Thanks, Malka and Jim....

Senior discount...Jim, I oughta give you a punch! (but you're right....I did tell you my age, so what can I expect??)

Malka, I am in Alexandria, in the center of the state. I understand that much of the LSU head and neck program has moved to Baton Rouge since Katrina. I have met another person with a similar surgery to mine....called Splenda on this site, and lives in Madisonville, on the Northshore by Mandeville. She had her surg. right before Katrina and lost track of her doctors for a while. Eek!

Where was your surgery done? With whom have you spoken concerning reconstruction? My surg. was done at LSU in Shreveport, and my surgery is excellent. (I also had a ND.) My surgeon has done only 4-5 of these reconstructions, though he has done many other types of extensive reconstructions. He lectures all over the world, so I will probably let him do it, though I plan to get a second opinion at M.D.Anderson first.

Feel free to email me. Let me know what you are thinking.

How are you getting along with the loss of your mandible?? I thought that they usually did that repair at the time of the first surgery.

My internet research indicates that the fibula is harvested as a graft for many other applications other than just oral surgery,and that it is fairly common to take that bone. My orthopaedist says that from his point of view, it is not a bad thing to do....that the fibula has little function. (What they don't say is, "......at your age......") I am not elderly by any means, but probably my tennis and snow-skiing days are over anyway.

Write again! and we can sign up for a double room. And you guys who have already had this surgery, please weigh in. I need help with this decision! Thanks.