Like many on here, my maxillary + FFF surgeries (6 hours) was performed by the team of Arce/Ettinger. My surgery was on a Tuesday and I flew home on a Saturday, using a walking boot (wheelchair in O"Hare) and cane.

I had a feeding tube for three weeks (removed locally by my PCP) and found it be quite efficient since I am the type that I eat to live and not live to eat. You just have to be VERY careful not to catch the feeding tube on something because it is stitched in place in your nostril. The ouch is very painful and I probably did this once a day.

I was driving within 2-3 weeks (four years ago so my memory is fading) and walking 3 miles again in 5-6 weeks. I used to be a competitive racquetball player and the FFF might have affected that had my back not failed me in 2019.

Like you, I sometimes wonder if I could have found a local solution (my ENT referred me to maxillary surgeon at Baylor-Dallas) but with the help of my PCP, I ended up choosing the Mayo Clinic, specifically because my age, and my ameloblastoma tumor in my right sinus cavity.

I made several follow-up trips to Rochester in 2021-2022 and now make annual trips every summer to see Dr. Arce and Dr. Muller (prosthodontist) and when I fly home -- I am always glad I chose the Mayo Clinic, even if it costs me about $1K per trip.