Yeson voice feminization surgery

[anjaq]

the surgery has improved that so now my falsetto sounds female. This also means that my upper range can achieve lower pitches giving me a more typical vocal range

Oh that sounds like a great gain already. Pitch is something quite variable. I mean I can obviously now go from 130 (100 if I really drop resonance control too) up to 200 regularly, somewhere above 200 I am going into a falsetto and it sounds bad, if this changes it is already something. So if you are really much more comfortable now using the higher ranges or it is less effort to go there, that would be more or less the goal achieved as this basically means that the surgery made it easier to go into a range that is good with more comfort. Is that how it worked out for you or is it as much effort as before to speak and maintain the voice in the upper range?

[sarahb]

Sooo, has anyone heard from kathyp lately? I'm kind of curious about what she's been up to and a little worried that we haven't heard from her.

[Kiwi4Eva]

I know things get better...it's only natural after any surgery.  Some here have wonderful results.  If much of this is psychological, then I am still confident of the outcome.  My biggest fear has to be that my age will impede my result.  Will I be able to get a really good voice at my age?  I have had no "voice training - voice coaching" and I'm not going to start.  I've always been naturally me and I'm not going to change that.

Whatever, this surgery has to be a winner.

Unfortunately not all surgeries go the way the patient (or surgeon) hopes, that is a fact of life and is born out by surgical statistics.

Some people (the medical profession mainly - LOL) would berate me for going to "Asia" to have surgery.  But they can all get f#*^*@d as it is "them" who are so arrogant.  The medical facilities in both Thailand and Korea were impeccable.

I'll take my chances with this surgery, it's better than any option here.

[Jennygirl]

I'm going to be taking a little breather from these threads and possibly the boards altogether, so I encourage anyone who has questions about this surgery to contact Jessie at Yeson (english@yesonvc.com). She is a joy to communicate with and usually very fast to answer.. as well she talks directly to the surgeon himself!

It's been wonderful seeing how many people have been co-inspired to have this surgery, and I'll still be back from time to time to see how people are progressing. I just need a break from being in a position where I feel I must defend this procedure's credibility and real benefit time and time again.

If I may have one last recommendation, it is to listen to the doctor carefully and follow his directions TO THE TEE during recovery. That is the most important, because the surgical risk is incredibly low. Ask questions before you go through with it, and do not assume that this is a miracle procedure that magically gives you a female voice. The procedure will get you halfway there , but it still takes a lot of patience, practice, and effort to achieve a truly great result.

I hope it can help some of you find the voice of your dreams as it has for me. I'll be seeing ya 'round

[Shantel]

Bye Jennygirl, stay in touch hon!

[Jennygirl]

Bye Jennygirl, stay in touch hon!

I will, and I'll be back

Thanks, Auntie Shan <3

[Kiwi4Eva]

I know things get better...it's only natural after any surgery.  Some here have wonderful results.  If much of this is psychological, then I am still confident of the outcome.  My biggest fear has to be that my age will impede my result.  Will I be able to get a really good voice at my age?  I have had no "voice training - voice coaching" and I'm not going to start.  I've always been naturally me and I'm not going to change that.

Whatever, this surgery has to be a winner.

Unfortunately not all surgeries go the way the patient (or surgeon) hopes, that is a fact of life and is born out by surgical statistics.

Some people (the medical profession mainly - LOL) would berate me for going to "Asia" to have surgery.  But they can all get f#*^*@d as it is "them" who are so arrogant.  The medical facilities in both Thailand and Korea were impeccable.

I'll take my chances with this surgery, it's better than any option here.

I know I'm 55, but unless I have gone totally mad, my post here shows what I think of this surgery and how anyone can construe it as negative is beyond me.  Having lived as a female for over 40 years...
I am now being told by others (who haven't) how I don't know how to behave like one?
Being female is all I have ever known.  EVER...
My preference would be to take instructions from those older than me who have lived as female for longer than I have, not those who haven't.
The money I spent in Seoul on this surgery was well spent.
My only regret is I don't have a modern Suporn vagina.  What I have is hideous to look at...I was butchered over 40 years ago.  Those of us who are still alive (from that era) were also butchered because that is what surgeons did (to us) in those days

Oh how I wish I could be one of the many girls who are turned into true females by Suporn today.  You are all so lucky.  So very fortunate.
You are so lucky

[Cindy]

I would like everyone to calm down please.

Let us take a deep breath and a break.

Thank You

Cindy

[anjaq]

I am now being told by others (who haven't) how I don't know how to behave like one?
Being female is all I have ever known.  EVER...

I dont think anyone here really questions this.

I hope you will keep us posted on your recovery as well, Kiwi, in terms of what is happening to your voice as time goes by and as you do the exercises.

Oh how I wish I could be one of the many girls who are turned into true females by Suporn today.  You are all so lucky.  So very fortunate.
You are so lucky

Yes to that. I really feel you there, though of course you probably was treated much less well than I was in the late 90ies, but that new technique by Suporn and others - it makes me want to cry everytime I think of it. Actually I do cry - but I also am happy that the younger ones now are able to get it. Just wish I had that chance... ah well... spilled milk and off topic here....

hmm - though - I am wondering - is some surgeon working right now at a miraculous technique to alter voice that is superior to anything we know now?

[Kiwi4Eva]

hmm - though - I am wondering - is some surgeon working right now at a miraculous technique to alter voice that is superior to anything we know now?

I think Yeson's surgery is worth every cent.  You used to hear horror stories about people trying to surgically change their voice.  Like playing Russian Roulette...not any longer   A voice is so visual and no matter what, having a female voice has to be important.

[Corra]

Hi

I was wondering (i did read a lot of the pages of this topic) whether Jenny posted her post-op voice with no extra resonance etc... I.e post -op male voice? Just curious to hear the 'high pitch male' voice really :p

[AmyBerlin]

Hi all,

as always, I'm too late asking my question, as Jennie "officially" retired from this thread. She mentioned somewhere in the conversation that she used to sing back in her male voice days. I'd have liked to ask her whether she attempted singing post-surgery and how that went. I'm considering the procedure, even though I have a passable speaking voice. The reason is I'm a pro musician and very frequently have to sing. And it's an immensely laborious process to sing convincingly in a feminine voice and range when you have male vocal cords. You have to worry about so many things, like at what range to start adding breath to simulate "noting out" in the lower register, between what notes to put the transition and how to balance that, have good cord closure in the midrange and twang like crazy up top to add brilliance. And anything (the remaining major 3rd I can hit) higher than e'' (high midrange for sopranos, top for altos, above the tenor's high C) will result in a scream, anyway. To put it succinctly, it's hard technical work and definitely a killjoy for singing.

It would be so much easier if the cord fundamental were higher. Does anyone here have experience with singing post-op? I sincerely hope Jennie still takes a look at this thread and can answer my question, or anybody else who had the procedure and is musically inclined.

Regards,

Amy

[Jennygirl]

Corra- unfortunately the phone that I had done all of my pre-op female voice recordings on the Voice Recorder app is now bricked from an unfortunate electrical accident. If I am ever able to recover it, I would be happy to do a direct comparison and post it.

AmyBerlin- I am slowly getting my singing voice back, and I think it will still take quite a bit of time to be fully realized. I now have enough control to sing powerfully and with decent resonance within the E3 - C5 range- I have been able to sing along with most tenor male voices as well as some lower female voices listening to radio on solo car missions. I'm not quite comfortable yet with the sound of it to be posting an example, though. It's not quite there. But, I know that the timbre of my voice while singing has definitely changed compared to what I remember.

I don't know that I'll ever have the super high pitch capability of a soprano, but I think alto range will definitely be in reach given another 6-18 months of recovery. My chest/head voice crossover continues to raise in pitch ever so slowly, but if I put a lot of force behind it I can "belt" waaaay higher than I used to be able to. It's the soft and gentle singing that needs work (and usually that is the most important!).

For a frame of reference, I used to sing baritone with a chest range of D2 - E5 on a good day. If no baritone part was available, I would always try for tenor but switch to bass if the score had many notes above middle C in the tenor part.

I hope this helps!

[jennifer@]

In two weeks I'll be in Korea. I hope it all goes well...

[sarahb]

In two weeks I'll be in Korea. I hope it all goes well...

Congratulations! You'll love the clinic and Jessie and Dr. Kim! I still miss Korea! Enjoy your time there :-)

[Corra]

Corra- unfortunately the phone that I had done all of my pre-op female voice recordings on the Voice Recorder app is now bricked from an unfortunate electrical accident. If I am ever able to recover it, I would be happy to do a direct comparison and post it.

I hope this helps!

That would be super, but i meant like if you were to try and do your male voice now...? :p Also wanted to say you've been a great inspiration with going through with this surgery... When i'm at this point in transition, i expect to go to Yeson

xx

[Jennygirl]

That would be super, but i meant like if you were to try and do your male voice now...? :p Also wanted to say you've been a great inspiration with going through with this surgery... When i'm at this point in transition, i expect to go to Yeson

xx

I'm glad this thread has help you Corra! Thanks for your comment

As far as me trying to do a male voice now... I dunno if that would work- my low end is almost an entire octave higher (up from 80hz to 140hz). If I try to keep it at 140hz now or even 150hz, it sounds like a joke because I can't go any lower.. Put simply there's just no way without it sounding hilarious. I mean I guess I could try?? Haha

As well I have completely forgotten how to talk like a male. That also contributes to the joke factor.

[anjaq]

Hehe - sounds great - not to be able to do that male voice again. Though what happens if you do not do resonance control - you still do that, right? VFS only changes pitch but not resonance, so I guess one could change resonance still. Dont know if that would really be able to make a voice like yours sound male though - its so great.

[Corra]

I'm glad this thread has help you Corra! Thanks for your comment

As far as me trying to do a male voice now... I dunno if that would work- my low end is almost an entire octave higher (up from 80hz to 140hz). If I try to keep it at 140hz now or even 150hz, it sounds like a joke because I can't go any lower.. Put simply there's just no way without it sounding hilarious. I mean I guess I could try?? Haha

As well I have completely forgotten how to talk like a male. That also contributes to the joke factor.

Well that's great to know, kinda the dream scenario really, isn't it ditto Anjaq? Sorry, i keep asking questions!! :O

[AmyBerlin]

AmyBerlin- I am slowly getting my singing voice back, and I think it will still take quite a bit of time to be fully realized. I now have enough control to sing powerfully and with decent resonance within the E3 - C5 range- I have been able to sing along with most tenor male voices as well as some lower female voices listening to radio on solo car missions. I'm not quite comfortable yet with the sound of it to be posting an example, though. It's not quite there. But, I know that the timbre of my voice while singing has definitely changed compared to what I remember.

I don't know that I'll ever have the super high pitch capability of a soprano, but I think alto range will definitely be in reach given another 6-18 months of recovery. My chest/head voice crossover continues to raise in pitch ever so slowly, but if I put a lot of force behind it I can "belt" waaaay higher than I used to be able to. It's the soft and gentle singing that needs work (and usually that is the most important!).

Dear Jenny,

thanks for your kind and thorough reply, which is really helpful. I have a slightly higher voice than you used to have (about a whole step). So the surgery should definitely put me in the same ballpark. And regarding the range you have now, that's fantastic for just half a year of recovery.

And I wouldn't expect the point of chest/head crossover to change much. After all, according to one theory, it's largely determined by the distance of the air path from vocal cords to mouth opening, and only secondarily by vocal cord length/weight. But the way this crossover sounds should be directly influenced by the surgery, as the chest voice with the shortened vocal folds has much less of a chance for resonance build-up at the 1st overtone.

A friend of mine who's within commutable distance, and also is an experienced singer, had the surgery yesterday, and I'll be in contact with her through her recovery. I've also emailed Jessie, who sent me the paperwork she needs. The funds are in place. What I need to do now is find a time frame for the surgery. As a pro musician, I have to prepare the groups I'm working with that I'll be unavailable for singing for about half a year, and see that I pick a time frame that I don't have to do a lot of choir directing in (as the choir does sacred music, that means, one without religious holidays, read: late spring, which will give me a break until autumn). That enables me to hear my friend at her 4-month mark before I need to book my surgery. To me, that sounds like a plan. Korea, here I come!

Love,

Amy