I have recently been for my follow up appointment after the tongue de-bulking surgery and was told that I would always need to have an "Awake fibreoptic intubation" for any future operation I might need. This is due to scarring in the throat after the big op in March. Does anyone know of a set of exercises there might be to open up or stretch the airway in some way. I am feeling choked all the time and this has got worse since this second op. Would singing help??!! Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Thanks

Hello Brenda, so did the second operation not help you any. I thought you were having a op to trim the flap back some. Hum, I must be confusing you with someone else. If I am I do appogize.. Vicki

Hello Vicki, Yes I had the second op about three week's ago to reduce the flap. They have certainly reduced it which is allowing my real tongue to push food down better but I can't say it has helped me to speak any better. There is a lot of lumpiness where the stitch line is between flap and own tongue. In order to have this op I had to have a fibreoptic camera inserted up my nose and down the back of my throat to enable the anaesthetist to put the tube in my airways for the operation. This took the best part of an hour and you have to be awake for the procedure - not very pleasant at all (this is due to the scarring from the big op in March) and I was told I would have to have this procedure if ever I needed surgery in the future. One of the side effect of the second op is that my throat seems even tighter than before and I feel I am choking all the time. God fobid I ever get a cold or throat infection - it will cease up altogether!! I am trying to find out if anyone knows of any exercises (other than the usual ones done by the Speech Therapists) that will open up or stretch the airway a bit. It's quite panicking at times. I'm not normally given to negative thoughts but this is getting to me. Hope you are upbeat and coping well. Regards Brenda x