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Brian Hill, kimmybgood
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by kimmybgood
kimmybgood
I was just diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma and will be having a mandibulectomy with fibula free flap surgery Nov. 15. What should I expect? Please share your 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?
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by Maria NY
Maria NY
I hope you are recovering well I had that same surgery January 2018. I remained in the hospital for 7 days. I personally had the hardest time with the trach. It lasted two days. The feeding tube was removed before I left the hospital (day 6). I started radiation 6 weeks later. Week 5-6 of radiation was almost harder for me than the surgery. Very difficult to eat or drink anything. Never needed a feeding tube.

My left leg is still a little weaker than before but able to do most physical activity.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.
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by lvredrock
lvredrock
I had my right side jaw done in 2010, it was rough for me. Plan a good 5 months of healing after it and just take each day as it comes. They took the bone out the left leg and the vein and rebuilt the right side. The surgery is around 12 to 14 hours, 7 to 10 days in the hospital, you could be off the feeding tubes in 2 to 3 week. I was on the feeding tube for 4 months as I had a hard time eating again. Plus you will have a trach in for a few days. Just follow the orders and you will do great.

I will be going back through this 13DEC, my 4th round is back and this time it front jaw and part of the left needs to come out.
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