Ray . . .I agree with other comments made suggesting you eat, eat, eat whatever you can while you heal from surgery. About 3 weeks after surgery, I was pretty much back into eating normal meals, etc. Your reaction to radiation tx will determine your path of taking down calories thereafter.

Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".