Congratulations on pulling through. And you should pretty much think that your doctor knows what he is talking about in re "nerve reestablishment". Ten years ago I had major jaw surgery and for about 4 years my lower right jaw and right side of my lower lip were numb. Then out of the blue there started to be first minor prickling then tingling and after a while, about two and a half years, it was practicaly constant. I learned to live with it, but one day I noticed it was gone and now have for all practical purposes full feeling. My wife always has a joke - good too - about this but you'll have to figure that out for yourself. Godspeed. Larry F