[quote=darkeyedlady0] Hi I was wondering what happened that you had to have so many surgeries concerning your free flap and is it normal to have to have so many surgeries. I am very concerned about all of it and of course the recoup stage. As yet they are pretty certain I will not need radiation ......[/quote]
Dianne do not worry too much about that comment in my signature After all the reading I have done here I have not seen this before.
Basically the flap may have been a little too large and the first op. was debulking. The rest were a little more of the same and to fixed ragged edges between where the flap and tongue were joined. Some of this could have been caused by chewing (as I was told by the surgeon�s). Not convinced but never mind and as I said have not seen this elsewhere here..so maybe I am unique grin
Also each operation was day surgery and took around 1 hour or less but under a general nevertheless.
Hope this explains it and hope my signature and post have not caused more concern.
Again please feel free if you would like to know more.

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