Hello Richard and welcome to OCF. You will find lots of helpful information here and answers to your questions. Also, loads of support which for me has been such a blessing as I work through this.

I have had surgery similar to what you are describe I believe. You can read my signature below. I would suggest that you add one to your profile also. It makes it a lot easier for you than having to explain everything more than once.

I am only 5 months post surgery - it will be 6 months on the 25th of March and I am still healing. You did not mention if they intended to do a free flap when they removed more of your tongue. That part has been the biggest adjustment for me.

The mandible replacement has not been too hard to adjust to really. It looks a little different and the swelling is still going down, but it is vastly improved from just after surgery. The main reason that they did my replacement was that the cancer had spread to the bone and it was the best way to get all of the cancer. That is the goal for the surgeons. To remove the cancer and obtain clear margins so that it does not recur.

Did you have any radiation treatment after your first surgeries?

I hope that this helps you. Feel free to ask anything that you want. I wish you luck in your journey

Patty