Just spoke to the vet, Chip's repair was completed at about 12:15, he came through with flying colors.
She used a newer fast drying acrylic that's only sold to vets of course.. so I'm sure it beats that crappy epoxy from the hardware store all to pieces.
She had to debride some of the dead tissue, then put him together & also had to fill in the empty spot with fiberglass & acrylic.
She said she believes it will take him longer than 2 years to fully recover. Shell E took right at 2 years so if he takes longer we can deal with that.
She also said that in a few months after he's healed some she may need to go back, take off some of this acrylic & redo some of the work.. but we'll cross that bridge if/when we come to it.
He'll have some pain meds for a few days. She did not put a feeding tube in because she's hoping that if he doesn't hurt he'll start to eat on his own & that's based on me telling her that he will swallow food on his own if it's placed in his mouth.. he just won't pick it up & eat it on his own yet. I'm glad she didn't put the tube in because I think when he's feeling better that he will eat on his own. He does have an appetite he just needs help with the food at the moment.
The worst is over! I know I feel a lot better right now, I hope Chip does too. 
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PHRatz
