Roger Ebert lost the lower part of his jaw after complications from thyroid and salivary gland cancer. He underwent surgery to remove cancerous tissue in the right side of his jaw in June 2006, and a week later he had a life-threatening complication when his carotid artery burst near the surgery site. He was confined to bed rest and was unable to speak, eat, or drink for a time, necessitating the use of a feeding tube. After the surgery, he wore a silicone prosthesis that is similar to dentures in that its not meant to be worn all the time. The prosthesis rests on Eberts shoulder blades and is almost like a collar. He used the prosthesis on his new television show, "Roger Ebert Presents At the Movies," which launched in early 2011. The prosthesis was used in a medium shot of him working in his office, and was a pleasant reminder of the person he was for 64 years.