HI Cindy, I also had very very similar operation on lower left jaw ib Oct 2000, but bone was from hip and skin from left arm. Approx 13 hour op, with Trach an feeding tube. In hosp for 12 days.
Trach was uncomfortable, but bearable. Had 15 lymphs removed and just one was cancerous. I gambled and refused radiotherapy, and fortunately no cancerous growths have appeared since. Just 3 small benign growths. They took the nerve out of left side of lip, which afffects smiling etc
Hope all goes well.
AJ
T3N1M0 Lower left jaw Oct 2000. Male, age 59 now, retired.