I had my pre op today with my surgeon, Dr. Kristen Moe, and was extremely "enlightened". I'm the only patient to experience the complications from my original surgery that he's ever heard about. The surgery will be more involved then I was originally expecting as well as he believes he will have to do a skin graft as well.

I was shocked to hear the answer to my question of where the donor tissue was coming from...my groin. The best I could come up with was "Well please be careful down there as I plan on using that area for the rest of my life."

He did say that depending on how bad the damage is he may need to use more of the glossal nerve, reducing function in my tongue, however he believes that my tongue has been anchored by scar tissue and he can correct that and give me more tongue function.

Surprisingly enough I only have to spend one night in the hospital, return to Idaho on Thursday and then be back in a weeks time for checkup.

Here's hoping for a steady hand...please this time...it's important!

Thanks for all the well wishes my friends. Update you as I can.

Eric

Eric, best of luch and I yoo hope for thr steady hand.
Let us know how it comes out when you are well!

Steve

Eric,

Your doctor sounds like he knows what he's doing. I can't wait to hear that you have more tongue motion and can smile again.

Sophie

Eric, relax. Its not what you are thinking of. They call it the groin area but its really the top of your thigh. I have matching ones on each leg. I also have another one down towards my knee. Mine measure 5" x 9", but I also had a very large area to cover. Those spots can hurt like heck till they get scabs on them.

Eric

Funny post. But Christine is spot on. I had similar trepidations when told that the hole in my wrist for the tongue flap would be replaced with "groin" skin. It is over to the side folds of the thigh where there is a lot of loose skin. To put into terms of martial arts, the donor site albeit technically the groin area is one that you could take a kick to from an opponent without missing a beat on your counter attack.
Good luck Brother and keep us posted
charm

Thanks Christine , I was just being fecicious. I like to try and joke with the medical professionals, especially the ones that are too serious.

The area is really sensative now actually...I'm laying here thankful for pain meds. I haven't seen a mirror yet or been recapped by my surgeon, however I can already tell that my tongue is more mobile.

Thanks Charm...I hope you are doing well my friend.

I'll update as I can

Eric

Eric, feel better soon!!! Dont be in any rush to find a mirror. Right now you are probably very swollen and it wouldnt look anything like it will in a couple weeks. Glad that you have more mobility.

If anyone can go thru this and come out swinging Eric, it is you my friend. It's time to get you a well deserved break now I would say.

Thanks Christine and Jim. I agree I need a break. Drove home from Seattle to Idaho today (6hrs) and am exhausted and very sore.

The pain is making me cranky so I'm trying to watch what I say. The surgery went well but my neck is split and sutured again, behind my ear has been opened up and drilled. Both areas of the skin graft are hurting. Thankful for pain meds, if I wasn't so stubborn I'd still be on fentanyl and not feeling much of this. I wouldn't change that though, oxy is doing ok.

Thanks for all of the well wishes,

Eric

Well it's been about a week since surgery, still in a bit of pain...can't wait for the follow up to get this stupid gauze out of my mouth.

Posted a 1 day post op picture to facebook and set as my profile page, so you don't need to be signed up or my friend to view it. Take a gander at www.facebook.com/eric.statler

Thanks for all of the support guys

Eric