Dr. Joshi,

I am curious as to post op if most patients are better sitting up than lying down? It makes sense to me that this would be the case. And do patients often get black eyes after all the surgical cutting on the hard/soft palate? I am seeing my surgeon today and will ask the "list" of questions I add to daily. I also wondered if it helps at all to use a straw to try to drink or is that drawing from a straw creating more problems? My sister has worked in a Children's Hospital in Colorado for decades and asked about squirting liguids in the mouth with a syringe? I have already copied many of the FOOD ideas posted here.

Thank you for your help.

Hi Plucky

You will have to wait for someone with the experience to tell you. I suspect lying with the head propped up with pillows is probably the answer. And using a straw would probably help if the plate doesn't give an effective seal. Let us know what your doctor says.

Best wishes
Vinod

Good Morning!

My doc said pillows that prop up the head would probably be as good as sitting up and that lying flat would not be as comfortable and would allow blood to rush to the site. What you said about the effectiveness of the seal with the plate is a big factor and no one knows until post op how that will be and they make their best guess from the impressions but may need tweaking. Hopefully it will not need it as if this is screwed in it will be more involved to remove and reinsert. I feel like there is so much I do not know but I do have the phone number of another patient to call that may have a lot of asnwers for me. My CT scan was strange..the bone did not appear involved the way he expected as you can see tumor on the palate side and in my nasal passage. He said that was a new one for him but that it would not change the surgical plan. Thanks for your help...A week from today is the big day.

Hi Plucky

If the plate is screwed in, you shouldn't have a problem. Good Luck.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Plucky just sending you BIG BEAR HUGS and hoping all will go well with the op. Garance

Hello Plucky, Sorry to hear that you are having surgery next week. I'm not familiar with your op as mine was in the floor of the mouth, plus a neck disection, which I'm not sure you are having. I was told NOT to lie flat (I couldn't have anyway with all the swelling and staples etc). I was sitting up with lots of pillows placed in a "chair" position and slept like this for many months (you do get used to sleeping that way!!). It helps the fluid to drain away around the neck, with having lymph glands removed the fluid settles around the neck and makes everything feel stiff and rigid. Yours may be a completely different routine but the medical staff will advise you on the right one for you. I don't know what American hospitals are like, but here on the NHS pillows are not in great supply so you have to sweet talk the nursing staff (or bring some in from home)!! All the very best for your operation and we look forward to hearing from you when you feel up to it post op. Regards Brenda.