Hi, I was just diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma and will be having a mandibulectomy with fibula free flap surgery Nov. 15. I'm 59 years old and very nervous about this. I'd like to hear from people who've been through it about their experience. Did it affect your speech, eating, swallowing etc.? What was the pain like? When do you start feeling normal again? Will I ever enjoy food again? What's it like to have your cheek and jaw reconstructed? And how does it look? Just want to hear from survivors and their families about their experience.

Hi Kimmyb

I'm so sorry to hear you're having to go through this treatment.

I had a total glossectomy, split mandible and a radical fibula free flap surgery in 2019.

I was on a lot of pain relief for comfort, which helped a lot. I do have a speech impediment and I'm very slow at eating, but this is due to having no tongue.
My jaw has a plate in it to put it back together, and it felt a bit weird at first, but isn't too bad now as I don't notice it.

Thank you so much Dizz. You're the only one who has responded to me! I'm so sorry what you've had to go through. But it makes me feel a little better to know others get through it and what it might feel like with a skin, bone and blood vessel graft.Thank you for sharing.