Hi

I was told yesterday that I may need a second operation to reduce size of tongue flap as its too bulky. Not sure if I want to put myself through more surgery so would be grateful to hear from anyone who has also had this and did you find it helped with your speech, eating etc?

Thanks
Wendy

Hi Wendy

I am not sure if this is the same as I had done. I had the lesions released and my tongue reshaped. Yes there was discomfort (to put it mildly). Several months later, I can lick my top lip, eating is easier and I am now in voice/speech therapy.

This is just my own experience. How it would affect you, I cannot say.
Good luck, whatever you decide! xx

Hi Wendy

Back in my flap's early days, my doctors considered doing a reduction (specifically liposuction), but it proved unnecessary because it has shrunk to fit my mouth better. I have never had major problems with speech (apart from doing too much of it) or eating (likewise), but what few problems I have had stem from nerve and dexterity problems, not from size. I'd suggest that you wait until you've passed the year mark (it's coming up quickly, isn't it? Congratulations!) and see if it's still warranted.

Flappy is a good and capable tongueflap, and I have full range of motion; my "after market" equipment is just as good as the manufacturer's original.

I hope this helps.

Julia

Hello Wendy

The size of flap used to reconstruct the tongue after surgery is an art of judgement in addition to surgical skill. Some surgeons are better than others. Flaps are slightly overbuilt as they can shrink after radiotherapy. If it doesn't shrink after a year or two, you should consider reducing its size to facilitate speech and swallowing (and construction of dentures?).

There are different techniques of reconstructing tongues. Link to a good technique: Rebuilding the Tongue

Reference: Reconstruction of the Tongue

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Many thanks Waspy, Julia and Dr Joshi for the interesting website links and your replies to my question.

Yes that’s right Julia, it will be a year in December. I’m glad to hear that you have fully adapted to your flap and its doing a good job, it’s surprising how quickly we can get used to such things really.

I was told at my hospital visit that if I had the second operation to reduce the flap that it wouldn’t be until around March of next year at the earliest. To be quite honest I think I’ve got on quite well regarding eating, swallowing and talking with it as it is and also haven’t needed speech therapy. Perhaps I will consider having the surgery if it would be of benefit – at the moment just feel that I can’t face it unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Would still like to hear from anyone who has been through this operation though.

Thanks
Wendy

Hi Dr Joshi

Thanks for the enlightening articles, especially "Reconstruction of the Tongue." My doctor, Doug Chepeha, is one of the authors and now I have a better understanding of how he built my flap (a. k. a. Flappy). He and the rest of the Oto/Head & Neck Cancer department at the University of Michigan hospital do an outstanding job.

Julia