Trach Shave or hiding of Adam's Apple?

[Stella Lunaris]

Hey all, it seems like in my transition, more is going wrong than right at the moment (My name change is tomorrow, so hopefully that doesn't get awfully rejected.) the latest disaster is that the doctor we were originally going to have my tracheal shave with is overbooked and won't be able to do it before I need it to be done. It's a really tricky situation. I'm moving to a new school to go stealth, but for that to work, I need this trach shave and I need it before the start of the new semester. I know that MAY be impossible and I may end up being outed, so I have two questions. One: Does anyone here know of anyone reputable to do a trach shave within the Midwest area? I'm in Michigan, but we were also looking at places in Chicago and Indianapolis, so really anywhere close to the state of Michigan is fine. Firsthand recommendation would be best (You had an operation you were satisfied with done yourself) but also anything you've heard about from trusted friends who've had operations there would work too. I just need more options to see if ANY can fit in my time limit.

However, this might not work, so barring this, is there any way I can possibly hide an adam's apple for a month or two while I wait for the shave? I'm very wary of people noticing it. I'm not sure HOW noticeable it is, it's not gigantic, but if I move my head a certain way, it's definitely there. I was considering scarves, as I love scarves already, but the ways I know of to wear them where it would cover the adam's apple are rather constricting and could get uncomfortable. Plus I feel like that might raise a few questions if I wear scarves literally everywhere.

Please guys, there have been a lot of setbacks lately, I got in T-blockers, but the place refused to give me hormones on the set time or up the dosage of those blockers, our move was going well, but then the people who were supposed to buy our current house backed out at literally the last second and left us scrambling for a buyer, my long distance girlfriend was supposed to visit in December but now that trip is most likely not happening, and who knows what might go wrong tomorrow at court for the name change? I really, really, really need for at least one thing to go right. I'm exhausted, discouraged, and depressed. Most days I feel as if my head is going to explode from stress and I can't even imagine how my mother must feel. I really need help.

Thanks

-Kat

[Jennygirl]

Aww I'm sorry to hear that. It does sound stressful. Have you checked out Dr Zukowski? I think he is in your general area?

I hope everything gets sorted, best of luck finding a surgeon and with the name change

[kariann330]

Really the only way i know of hiding it is to gain weight. Also have you tried Dr. Rumer in PA? I know it's not really the Midwest but she is a really good surgeon.

[boddi]

I'd also like to know of anyone's experiences on tracheal shave.  Any recommended surgeons etc?  Prices, results etc.    Is it very painful and how much scarring is there?   Thanks

[eli77]

I'm really sorry for the stress you are under. Transition can be a pretty rough period in our lives. But remember that you WILL be able to sort out these problems and things will definitely get easier over time.

However, this might not work, so barring this, is there any way I can possibly hide an adam's apple for a month or two while I wait for the shave? I'm very wary of people noticing it. I'm not sure HOW noticeable it is, it's not gigantic, but if I move my head a certain way, it's definitely there. I was considering scarves, as I love scarves already, but the ways I know of to wear them where it would cover the adam's apple are rather constricting and could get uncomfortable. Plus I feel like that might raise a few questions if I wear scarves literally everywhere.

I'll be honest. The chance of an adam's apple clocking someone is actually pretty remote. It just isn't the thing people look for, and enough women have visible adam's apples that it's hardly a deal breaker. I had a pretty prominent adam's apple when I went full time and it didn't affect my passing whatsoever. I've actually never been clocked. People only look to your adam's apple if they ALREADY suspect something from other features. On the list of "areas that affect passing" adam's apple doesn't make the top ten. Voice, hair, eyes, forehead, nose, lips, chin, jaw, cheeks, chest, shoulders, body type, posture, and mannerisms are all more important than a bit of cartilage in your neck. Efforts to "hide" adam's apples with scarfs and whatnot just draw attention to something that nobody really thinks about. I know you are probably really paranoid right now (I was SO paranoid when I went full time), but focusing on the things you can affect is going to do you far more real good than worrying about your neck.

That said, I did eventually have my neck shaved by Spiegel in Boston (he's probably the best doctor around for that procedure--he's also quite expensive and often has a long waiting list; pain was manageable, recovery was 1 week, I have a 1/2 inch scar hidden in the fold of my neck), but that was about my own comfort and dysphoria, not about passability. And, like I said, I had it done after I'd already been full time for a while without any difficulties.

[suzifrommd]

I wear turtlenecks in the winter and scarves in the summer. Not because of adam's apple, more because of body hair, but I don't get clocked a lot.

[Horizon]

Plus I feel like that might raise a few questions if I wear scarves literally everywhere.

Not even a little bit.  It's scarf season, especially in Michigan/Chicago!  My campus is probably just an hour or two south of you, and all the girls here are already wearing scarves full time.  If you have to have it postponed, you'll be fine as long as you can get in before spring.

[Dee]

I agree with Sarah- it's really only clockable if someone is specifically looking for it.  And even then, plenty of girls have an adam's apple.

But, you can hide it with some training.  I remember a few months ago when looking up vocal exercises, that one tip suggested to sort of hold the adam's apple up high.  Gently place your hand on your neck, and swallow.  Feel how the adam's apple moves up?  Just try holding it in place.  It can be a little tiring at first, but it develops into muscle memory.

And it's twofold!  Helps with your vocal timbre, and hides that unwanted cartilage!

[Jennygirl]

Also forgot to mention, the healing time is not nearly that of traditional ffs. You'll only be sore / bruised for about a week and the scar will look much better in three. I would recommend finding a doctor that places the incision under the chin if you really don't want to worry.. The scar isn't even visible while healing. Nobody ever once noticed my under chin scar even when it was swollen.

There are a lot of surgeons who place it under the chin. It's probably worth asking about if fast recovery visually is a concern!

[MiaOhMya!]

Yeah as soon as I saw Chicago I thought of Dr. Zukowski. It is an under chin incision as stated.