I had my surgery (partial glossectomy, forearm flap and neck dissection just over 3 weeks ago. When I left the hospital Mar 27th I didn;t feel too bad -- was managing meal replacement shakes, yogurt, pudding and cream soups. However, I've been having trouble with my swallowing the last couple of days. Thick stuff (pudding) won't go down and I have to swallow the meal replacements in a funny double swallow to get them down. And now I have to visit the bathroom every 2 or 3 golps to spit out the thick saliva. Have any of you had the same experience? Please tell me it gets better -- I can be a bit impatient at times!

Hi. I am answering this to bring it to the top again. I had the forearm flap to line the floor of my mouth, but I had a Peg tube.I was not allowed to eat by mouth for 6 weeks or more. The Peg is a great way to keep nutrition in your body while you heal. I am puzzled why Doctors are not giving Pegs to patients who have oral surgery of this level.Anyway maybe someone will see this again who has had your problem and answer.

I have a question to anyone that had a trach, I am almost two years out from surgery, the scar tissue around the trach scar has felt really strange the past few weeks. I went to the oncologist and surgeon, they checked me and said it is scar tissue and/or cartilage, I feel a lump under the outward scar area, does anyone else feel it? Thanks!