Trachea shave with Dr. Ousterhout

[Jennygirl]

Ok I have my pre-op tomorrow with Dr. Outserhout, and on Tuesday I am having the surgery!

I am mostly excited but I am also a little bit worried... I have heard he is quite aggressive with the procedure and I am just a bit scared about losing the upper register of my vocal range if he takes too much cartilage off.

Has anyone here had a trachea shave done with Dr. O? I would LOVE to hear any girls' experiences using him specifically for this surgery. I read a girl's post from a while back and she was having some trouble regaining the upper register but it was a guest account and I can't message her to see if she recovered completely.

I am kinda freaked at the moment because I am very happy with my current range

Should I be scared? Also how bad is the swelling around the throat? I assume I will probably not want to go out into public?

Also this is my first surgery, so apologies for all the worried questions!

[Jennygirl]

Just got back from UCSF. The trach shave surgery went incredibly well. Apparently I barely bled at all, the pain is minimal, swelling is average, but most importantly my voice is 100%! And my adam's apple is GONE! Yay!!

I guess the only reason I was so concerned with it is because (even as Dr O mentioned in our pre op appointment) I have (or rather had, hah!) an almost "severe" adam's apple protrusion. I thought maybe it would cause problems if too much were taken off. I think he took off just the right amount. It is still slightly visible, but well into female territory and I am just super happy to have my voice range.

The procedure was actually under local anesthesia so I was awake during the whole thing and there was no tube jammed down my throat. It was pretty weird when the cartilage was getting chopped, but I barely felt any pain at all and I was able to hum to myself to keep checking to make sure everything was still going well with the voice. That was nice

Alright well I think the Percocet and Valium are about to kick in so I better go lay down. Probably not leaving the house for a few days!

[Zumbagirl]

Congrats on your surgery. I had a trace shave done about 13 years ago now, and it never affected my voice. For about the first month after surgery it felt like I had a sore throat and my voice was a little hoarse, but it went away. I have never experienced any long term effects form it voice wise. It was nice having that old "lump in the throat" finally one too. Enjoy your new lump less neck

[Jamie D]

Yeah Jenny, take it easy.

So when will we get a new avatar?!

[Jennygirl]

Thanks girls, I am definitely taking it easy. Feeling even better compared to earlier today already. I keep gently running my fingers across my neck, and it just makes me smile every time.

But I already cannot wait to get back to normal looking. I think a new avatar photo is definitely in order So, Jamie, hopefully you won't have to wait long! Some of the swelling has already seemed to go down, but I'm not expecting to look anywhere near normal for the next 3 days or so. They were telling me the swelling is usually the worst at 3 days after surgery. But I am SERIOUSLY taking it easy. Not even planning on getting out of my PJ's until Saturday or so- that is unless I have some kind of miraculously short recovery! And I go in on Monday to get sutures removed.

Love to you both, thanks for the kind words and support!

[janellebell]

Hi Jenny,
How much was the entire procedure

[Jennygirl]

Hi Jenny,
How much was the entire procedure

A lot more than I needed to pay, but he did a great job so I don't have any complaints. It was about 4500.