Post TORS when will I be able to eat?

It’s a very tough surgery you endured. It takes time for everything to settle. I’m very sorry to hear you are going thru this but you will see progress in the pain area and have faith in the experts that are trying to help. 💕

@hrhwilliam
Hi everyone,
Going to have Tors surgery in a few days. Nervous, and wondering if oxy helps with any pain? Is the pain managable?

@kamrin I think pain meds are completely up to the patient and doctor. Personally I prefer not to take any addictive meds for more than two or three days, resorting to OTC such as ibuprofen.
We all face pain differently. I don't mind some discomfort as long as I can get some rest whilst others want no pain whatsoever. With TORS, likely less invasive so likely less pain over a long period of time seems to be the general rule.
Nervous? That is human. Sometimes when we must go though hell, we should go quickly. We take life as it comes and we hope and pray for the best. Sometimes life is beyond our control. Courage. In a month hopefully this is all behind you.
And by the way, Welcome to Connect and our Head and Neck group.

@kamrin I had it in October 2024 and really didn’t take much. The pain wasn’t really that bad believe it or not. It was just a challenge to eat for the first few weeks. It wasn’t from pain but from the chocking feeling. I started with mashed potatoes, oatmeal, soup, etc. watermelon was really my friend for two weeks (a little food but it kept me hydrated). Mine was for a base of toungue tumor. Not much problem eating now but the food can kind of “sit in the divot” that was left so having a liquid to use after chewing is needed at times. Luckily I did not need and chemo or radiation and just had another PET scan and all was clear. Gods speed to you!

@kamrin I had TORS surgery for base of tongue SCC. The first few days after surgery were rough and I did take Oxy to relieve the pain and High dose Tynel which I alternated. I winged off the Oxy after 10 days with no issues. I found it very difficult to even swallow a pill and Eating was out of the question . However, Today 2 years out I am back to 95%. Hang in there it will not be a fun few months but you will be back soon. God Speed.

So I'm on day 9 if Day of surgery is 0. Pain is still there but still taking the hydromorphine. To be honest i thought it would be alot worse. Its not easy but i survived! I'm hoping it gets better soon since Christmas is around the corner. I can never finish a meal, it's mainly mashed potatoes and gravy for me. Dairy causes me to have tons of phlegm. How bad was radiation after Tors recovery? Which one is the more evil of the two?

@kamrin radiation after TORS was tolerable but after radiation I was on the sofa with pure fatigue for a long time. My mouth burned for weeks. No appetite and no energy. I froze high calorie boost and ate it like ice cream. The lidocaine mouthwash helped.

After my Tors surgery i ended up with tongue thrush

@slmoore0626
I am 10 weeks away from radiation treatment for mouth and throat. The first two weeks were awful, as my mouth was still swollen and felt like someone had poured scalding water down my throat. Brushing and flossing my teeth was almost impossible, as I could hardly open my mouth. My food was mushy cheerios, smoothies through a straw, ensure, and lots of water (some with electrolytes.) Fruit pops and jello helped as well.
Gradually, most of my taste has returned, my swelling is gone. I have extremely dry mouth, which affects my tongue. Since I had a series of dental work with infections prior to the cancer, I am extremely cautious about my teeth. I floss or pick after every meal, rinse, brush with a very small amount of paste, and brush my tongue, as well. I use a mixture of 5-6 parts baking soda to 4 parts salt to rinse my mouth after meals, as well. It cleanses. I am so worried about my teeth and do not want a dental apt. any time soon. I can eat almost every thing that has some moisture - no dry turkey, chicken, or roast beef. Bread has not worked, either - not enough saliva. My favorite treat in the world is tapioca pudding - I make it often. Very best to you and know it will get better - it is the toughest thing to not be able to talk, chew, swallow, and taste. Blessings on your journey - it will be complete.

@panevills how were your ears? I'm on Day 11 and the pain will go and quickly sneak up on you. Throat still hurts, right ear hurts, side that had TORS, now Thrush and it makes it that much harder to recover.