Yet another Yeson VFS thread

[AmyBerlin]

Congratulations, Alexia, on your recent surgery. I wish you a safe and speedy recovery and lots of happiness with your new voice.

Me, I started talking today, and while my voice is still very "rusty" from surgery and a month of disuse, the effect on pitch is pronounced – I don't have to strain at all anymore. The few people that I talked to today gave me lots of compliments on my new voice, which is very good and reassuring to hear.

Assuming tone quality will improve and hoarseness go in the course of the coming month I can well imagine this is going to be just fine. Also, the pronounced hi-midrange peak I had in my old trained-feminine voice is totally gone, making it sound much more relaxed.

I'll keep you posted of the developments and will add a "Rainbow Passage" over the weekend.

Take care everybody,

Amy

[Charlotte]

I asked Dr. Kim about the same question on falsetto last time I asked him, and it was as what I thought - Asian singing studies just don't differentiate head voice and falsetto, instead they call them both "false voice" and thus "falsetto", so in Korean's terminology, soprano sings in falsetto (I misunderstood last time) lol He said "you don't have falsetto post-op" is in speaking, still able to produce that "head voice" or "falsetto" in their terminology after operation 


Added: mine was shorten only 1/4, as Dr. Kim doesn't want me to go in average 250 Hz when speaking...

Alexia, Very glad surgery went well!  I have to admit I'm now totally confused about falsetto, head voice, and middle register. Are they all the same thing or different things or do people muddle them up? Are people actually speaking in falsetto and do I have to speak in falsetto post-op. I can quite happily sing in falsetto but that's like 300Hz. Really confused!

Amy can't wait to hear you rainbow passage reading! 

[anjaq]

lexia, i would pay about usd7000 to get your pre op voice. Lol. Are you a rather tiny person that your voice is so naturally high? If your speaking voice will be in the 250-300 range, thats quite high. I guess you are a very feminine person for this voice to fit.

Amy, can you explain what that hi-mid range peak is? It sounds great anyways. Speaking more relaxed and with less tension is great. You probably also do not have to think about your voice anymor when talking?
The hoarseness seems to go away until the 2 month mark if i can judge that from the vids of the others.
Great to hear and looking forward to hear your new voice. Hugs , greetings,

[Saskia]

Today, I had my first conversation with my Mom since going to Yeson and after about 10mins my voice was starting to get hoarse so I had to end the call. Bless her she was so happy to hear me after these last few weeks. Anyway after a short break my voice had recovered again. I'm still taking it easy at work for another week.
I'm not expecting much this early after surgery, but on the whole one month post-op its slightly higher than before. I had 165Hz before surgery, so I'm really looking forward to developments over the next few months.

Alexia - Great news that your surgery went well. It's incredible how many people from Susans who have gone to Yeson.

Saskia

[alexiakk]

lexia, i would pay about usd7000 to get your pre op voice. Lol. Are you a rather tiny person that your voice is so naturally high? If your speaking voice will be in the 250-300 range, thats quite high. I guess you are a very feminine person for this voice to fit.

Haha yeah Anja I'm a tiny person... shorter than average female height in Europe. I did feel like my voice was naturally high, but it is really loud Anyways Dr. Kim showed me my vocal folds pre-op and post-op, and they look clean and smooth which indicates that I'm not bad at protecting my voice box

Wish everyone good luck! I know there are a few people having surgery recently

[alexiakk]

Oh also I want to mention that it's better to not only avoid those spicy food & tea & cafe but also avoid anything that can stimulate the production mucus. It can greatly increase the easiness in breathing and the clearness of respiratory tract

[alexiakk]

Alexia, Very glad surgery went well!  I have to admit I'm now totally confused about falsetto, head voice, and middle register. Are they all the same thing or different things or do people muddle them up? Are people actually speaking in falsetto and do I have to speak in falsetto post-op. I can quite happily sing in falsetto but that's like 300Hz. Really confused!

I did some research on this, and it seems like to Asian people they only recognize 2 different voices - true voice and false voice. We'll have no speaking falsetto post-op so it's always in chest voice  I think to them falsetto and head voice sound similar so they put them in one category. But in fact "true" falsetto is quite rare to produce with short vocal cords; like my voice teacher told me that I don't know how to produce the "disconnected" falsetto but the "connected" head voice pre-op. Almost all voice types above mid-high tenor naturally uses head voice instead of falsetto.

[alexiakk]

Hello,

I have read that Dr. Kim ties off 1/2 to 1/3 depending on the individual, but does anyone know what would happen if a person got tied at 2/3? would the person sound like a chipmunk? lol.

June you have to consider that vocal folds reside in respiratory tract. Tying off 1/3 or 1/2 is based on the fact that it cannot damage your normal breathing function. Gases passes through the glottis while you inhale and exhale, if Dr. Kim ties up 2/3 of the entire vocal cords, you will not able to receive enough oxygen and thus will result in hypoventilation. It does not matter how it sounds.

[anjaq]

Haha yeah Anja I'm a tiny person... shorter than average female height in Europe. I did feel like my voice was naturally high, but it is really loud

I would take the loudness as well - I am always told I talk not loud enough - so a 170-180Hz voice that is loud - I would swap against my low volume 110 (or 140 if shifted) Hz voice

I wish you the best and that your voice will fit your overall personality and appearance well. This is after all themost important one. A 5'9 person with a 270 Hz voice would be very odd, but a 5'5 person with a 120 Hz voice would be as odd or worse

[Junebug]

June you have to consider that vocal folds reside in respiratory tract. Tying off 1/3 or 1/2 is based on the fact that it cannot damage your normal breathing function. Gases passes through the glottis while you inhale and exhale, if Dr. Kim ties up 2/3 of the entire vocal cords, you will not able to receive enough oxygen and thus will result in hypoventilation. It does not matter how it sounds.

o_O gosh I would not want that.  I do not know about the anatomy of the throat very much, but I am glad I learned something from you.

[Roni]

Hey everybody! 

I have a question for those who have done the surgery or are knowledgable about it.

First off, this is how I currently sound in my female register: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0QbbKdhnvuO

Ignore the question I brought up in the voice clip. It is a clip from a few weeks back and I have since decided that I am definitely getting the surgery. Reason being I would love to sound authentic in my voice without feeling like I'm forcefully increasing my pitch, and also to abolish any chances of accidentally reverting back to my male register (which happens a lot when I'm drunk with friends, etc.).

My question is, considering I have a naturally high-sounding pre-op voice, my post-op voice should still see an increase in frequency, right? As in there shouldn't be a "ceiling" for me considering I was born male and have the vocal folds of a male? I'm scared the surgery will somehow ruin my ability to speak in the register I have already attained, and that my post-op voice will end up lower than my pre-op. Is that possible? Do people with high pitched pre-op voices generally end up with higher pitched post-op voices?

I know the surgery isn't a magic cure, as people have mentioned here, and that one would still need to practice her voice. I feel as though I've always talked similar to females growing up, and have been ma'amed on the phone even before I realized I was trans. I'm just kind of hoping the surgery will make me sound genuinely female.

Second: I'm very self-conscious about my laugh. Will the surgery feminize it?

Thanks girls!

[MeganChristine]

Hey everybody! 

I have a question for those who have done the surgery or are knowledgable about it.

First off, this is how I currently sound in my female register: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0QbbKdhnvuO

Ignore the question I brought up in the voice clip. It is a clip from a few weeks back and I have since decided that I am definitely getting the surgery. Reason being I would love to sound authentic in my voice without feeling like I'm forcefully increasing my pitch, and also to abolish any chances of accidentally reverting back to my male register (which happens a lot when I'm drunk with friends, etc.).

My question is, considering I have a naturally high-sounding pre-op voice, my post-op voice should still see an increase in frequency, right? As in there shouldn't be a "ceiling" for me considering I was born male and have the vocal folds of a male? I'm scared the surgery will somehow ruin my ability to speak in the register I have already attained, and that my post-op voice will end up lower than my pre-op. Is that possible? Do people with high pitched pre-op voices generally end up with higher pitched post-op voices?

I know the surgery isn't a magic cure, as people have mentioned here, and that one would still need to practice her voice. I feel as though I've always talked similar to females growing up, and have been ma'amed on the phone even before I realized I was trans. I'm just kind of hoping the surgery will make me sound genuinely female.

Second: I'm very self-conscious about my laugh. Will the surgery feminize it?

Thanks girls!

Seriously, your voice is awesome and sounds really natural

I'd go for the transplant first, then VFS

-MegC

[alexiakk]

Hey everybody! 

I have a question for those who have done the surgery or are knowledgable about it.

First off, this is how I currently sound in my female register: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0QbbKdhnvuO

Ignore the question I brought up in the voice clip. It is a clip from a few weeks back and I have since decided that I am definitely getting the surgery. Reason being I would love to sound authentic in my voice without feeling like I'm forcefully increasing my pitch, and also to abolish any chances of accidentally reverting back to my male register (which happens a lot when I'm drunk with friends, etc.).

My question is, considering I have a naturally high-sounding pre-op voice, my post-op voice should still see an increase in frequency, right? As in there shouldn't be a "ceiling" for me considering I was born male and have the vocal folds of a male? I'm scared the surgery will somehow ruin my ability to speak in the register I have already attained, and that my post-op voice will end up lower than my pre-op. Is that possible? Do people with high pitched pre-op voices generally end up with higher pitched post-op voices?

I know the surgery isn't a magic cure, as people have mentioned here, and that one would still need to practice her voice. I feel as though I've always talked similar to females growing up, and have been ma'amed on the phone even before I realized I was trans. I'm just kind of hoping the surgery will make me sound genuinely female.

Second: I'm very self-conscious about my laugh. Will the surgery feminize it?

Thanks girls!

WOW THIS IS AMAZING!! Your voice is VERY beautiful already. I would suggest no VFS for you

It's just like asking a cis-female what they should do to improve their voice lol

[Jennygirl]

Roni, there is no way you pass as male on the phone. No. Way.

Sounds to me like you've got it ALL down. No VFS for you is my vote Why bother?

[Jennygirl]

It's just like asking a cis-female what they should do to improve their voice lol

Haha, my thoughts exactly

[AmyBerlin]

Hi all,

it's time for an update: here's my voice, just barely being able to speak again, on day 32 postoperative:

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1gdFO9JywwV

Mean pitch is still as low as 172 Hz, but I'm intentionally keeping my voice totally relaxed in order not to damage anything, so this is approximately as low as I can comfortably go. There's surely still a lot of swelling on the vocal cords – as you can hear in the voice sometimes cutting out – which also kind of depresses pitch, but will go away on its own in the coming months. So I'm not despairing at all. It'll be fine.

Bottom line: still a lot of healing to do, but it's evident that, once everything is healed, it's definitely going to be a huge change for the better.

@Roni: I find your voice very appealing and feminine already, but I'm totally with you that it takes constant focus and effort to keep the voice there, which was my main reason to undergo VFS as well. So, if the effort problem doesn't prove unsurmountable, I'd do hair transplants first, then VFS. Just my 2¢, your mileage may vary.

Best wishes to all,

Amy

[Roni]

Seriously, your voice is awesome and sounds really natural

I'd go for the transplant first, then VFS

-MegC

Thank you! It was tough trying to maintain my voice at first. Thank god I work at a busy fast food place where I am able to practice speaking more naturally and comfortably!

WOW THIS IS AMAZING!! Your voice is VERY beautiful already. I would suggest no VFS for you

It's just like asking a cis-female what they should do to improve their voice lol

Aww thanks haha! I appreciate that. 

[Roni]

Roni, there is no way you pass as male on the phone. No. Way.

Sounds to me like you've got it ALL down. No VFS for you is my vote Why bother?

Totally freaked out that you had replied to my post!  You are the entire reason I have wanted to go for VFS, ever since I stumbled upon your video on YouTube last year on a night when I was feeling pretty down and disappointed with my voice. I didn't even know about Susan's back then. Sorry it just feels kind of surreal getting a response from you haha! 

Hi all,

it's time for an update: here's my voice, just barely being able to speak again, on day 32 postoperative:

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1gdFO9JywwV

Mean pitch is still as low as 172 Hz, but I'm intentionally keeping my voice totally relaxed in order not to damage anything, so this is approximately as low as I can comfortably go. There's surely still a lot of swelling on the vocal cords – as you can hear in the voice sometimes cutting out – which also kind of depresses pitch, but will go away on its own in the coming months. So I'm not despairing at all. It'll be fine.

Bottom line: still a lot of healing to do, but it's evident that, once everything is healed, it's definitely going to be a huge change for the better.

@Roni: I find your voice very appealing and feminine already, but I'm totally with you that it takes constant focus and effort to keep the voice there, which was my main reason to undergo VFS as well. So, if the effort problem doesn't prove unsurmountable, I'd do hair transplants first, then VFS. Just my 2¢, your mileage may vary.

Best wishes to all,

Amy

Healing pretty well! All you girls getting the surgery is just making me more anxious about getting mine haha.  That is exactly how I feel Amy. Often times I don't have complete control over my voice like I did in my voice clip and it would be nice to just let loose and not have to worry about maintaining my pitch.

[Charlotte]

Today, I had my first conversation with my Mom since going to Yeson and after about 10mins my voice was starting to get hoarse so I had to end the call. Bless her she was so happy to hear me after these last few weeks. Anyway after a short break my voice had recovered again. I'm still taking it easy at work for another week.
I'm not expecting much this early after surgery, but on the whole one month post-op its slightly higher than before. I had 165Hz before surgery, so I'm really looking forward to developments over the next few months.

Alexia - Great news that your surgery went well. It's incredible how many people from Susans who have gone to Yeson.

Saskia

Saskia, your mother sounds really lovely! I'm actually welling up a bit 

[Charlotte]

Hey everybody! 

I have a question for those who have done the surgery or are knowledgable about it.

First off, this is how I currently sound in my female register: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0QbbKdhnvuO

Ignore the question I brought up in the voice clip. It is a clip from a few weeks back and I have since decided that I am definitely getting the surgery. Reason being I would love to sound authentic in my voice without feeling like I'm forcefully increasing my pitch, and also to abolish any chances of accidentally reverting back to my male register (which happens a lot when I'm drunk with friends, etc.).

My question is, considering I have a naturally high-sounding pre-op voice, my post-op voice should still see an increase in frequency, right? As in there shouldn't be a "ceiling" for me considering I was born male and have the vocal folds of a male? I'm scared the surgery will somehow ruin my ability to speak in the register I have already attained, and that my post-op voice will end up lower than my pre-op. Is that possible? Do people with high pitched pre-op voices generally end up with higher pitched post-op voices?

I know the surgery isn't a magic cure, as people have mentioned here, and that one would still need to practice her voice. I feel as though I've always talked similar to females growing up, and have been ma'amed on the phone even before I realized I was trans. I'm just kind of hoping the surgery will make me sound genuinely female.

Second: I'm very self-conscious about my laugh. Will the surgery feminize it?

Thanks girls!

Another vote for hair transplants first.  Have you decided if you'll go for FUT or FUE yet?