Lisa, my husband had a radical neck dissection left side 9 days after he finished chemo/radiation treatments. I was very worried about him having it, especially so soon after treatment, but he came through it very well. He was talking right away, and up and out of bed the next day, and his surgery was 8 and a half hours.
My best wishes to your dad for a complete recovery.
Michele

Michele, caregiver to husband, Jesse, SCC diagnosed 1/5/06 unknown primary, lf neck mass >6 cm. Chemo (Cisplatin 2x; Carboplatin & Taxol 2x) & XRT radiation 39X ending 4/4/06. Rad neck dissection 8.5 hrs 4/13/06. 30 HBO treatments Fall 2006.