Preparing for a partial glossectomy: What can I expect?

I was concerned about throat issues after, can’t go back there.
Saw surgeon last week and he said the flap will get smaller over time.
I will wait and see.
Please post if you have it done and how it went. I am still struggling with swallowing at 6 months. Can’t risk healing time for flap as have lost too much weight.
Thanks Shane,
Logi

Hi @logi

I didn’t get my trimmed but supposedly I had one of the best surgeons around for it to perform the free flap and modified neck dissection surgery. Mine went down after about 2-3 months and I was age 55 at the time now 57.

God bless,
Rob

@roblem lucky you, I am 78 so it could be slower healing. Eating makes me crazy these days. The surgeon at ucla is supposed to be excellent, scar on forearm healed well and quickly. The injury to nerve in neck with severe pain for months hinders also.
I still think you are lucky, that isn’t long at all. Congrats!🤗

@roblem My free flap has reduced somewhat but not enough that I am satisfied with it. My surgeons were great too. I am not expecting it to reduce much more on its own. I thankfully did not have to do radiation (I did it first time around in 2014 and it was horrific). That would have reduced it more, but we did not know at the time if I would need to have it. I would really like to hear from someone who had the flap trimmed down (debulking is what it's called).

@roblem You could not had have the best surgeon, I had the best surgeon.

6 weeks post patial glossectomy and tongue flap. Pureed foods a must. Textured foods get "stuck" at the base of my tongue. Receiving therapy from speech language therapist and I have exercises ro do. The back of my tongue feels very dry. Tongue less swollen but controllling saliva is an issue. I am understnadable speaking over the phone. It will get better!!

Hi @logi

I definitely have some Neck Fibrosis, Lymphedema, Swallowing, Speech, and weak shoulder issues (including range of motion and droopy) from it so far in which I have to get PT for. I am in constant research mode to help and improve myself (this forum helps) from all my cancer treatments, I am determined to still find time to get to the gym and lift weights and play softball.
Oh 2024 was challenging as I also ended up having Aspiration Pneumonia (took 7 liters of infection out of my lung cavity) which you are more susceptible to with the tongue surgery, 2 Esophageal Dilations, H.Pylori bacterial infection, viral infection, and finished it off with some skin cancer. But I recovered and cancer free for now.

Good luck on your journey and God speed.

@roblem
Hi Robles, god you’ve been through it! Congrats on your recovery, impressive. The pneumonia thing has always scared me, so far so good.
I am doing pt now just a few so far, but seems to be helping.
6 months out from surgery trying to gain weight. The reconstruction in throat had made swallowing a nightmare but did therapy and doing better. Also cancer free, mri last week. We are warriors for sure. Happy for you!
Logi

@roblem it’s posts like yours that make me smile at how resilient some people are! Good luck in your continuing health journey!