I had a very difficult time swallowing even water for well over a month after treatment and I didn't have surgery, just rad/chemo. I went to a speech therapist for help swallowing. Maybe you should look into that. one thing she showed me was to use thick-it to thicken up water as in it's liquid state it was backing up and going down the wrong way. Still 1 year post tx I can't handle solid food. Others are eating burgers in a few months so, yes, everyone is different.

David R. 65 yr old male non-smoker, light drinker, stage 3 or 4, depending on which doc you ask, scc rt. tonsil, 2 nodes, 7 weeks radiation and chemo. No surgery. Teatment ended 3/20/08. PET scan 8/08 showed no cancer.
And now, as of oct, 2010, caregiver to wife, Linda, with breast cancer.
May, 2013, Linda diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Enuf already.