Yeson voice feminization surgery 2.0

anjaq · February 07, 2016, 12:37:54 PM

Very interesting. I checked my vocal range today. I think I probably could even go a little bit higher than what I recorded here and I know on some days I can also go lower. The very high part is crazy - I think it is almost available on demand now, maybe thats because the Botox does stop muscles from interfering with making that sound?

kwala · February 07, 2016, 06:02:56 PM

Very impressive, Anja! You had a quite a large range before as I recall, but the upper end seems to have expanded even further and well into the whistle register.

anjaq · February 08, 2016, 05:53:01 AM

Yes, I had a range of 85-880 Hz pre OP. Now it seems to be 95-1300? So pre OP that was E2-A5 and now it is G2-G6 (I actually did a G6 yesterday for 2 seconds) - so there are 2 unexpected things here - one is that my lower pitch range did not change that much as I thought it would - I expected to not be able to make a sound in the clearly male range below 130 Hz; On the other had I actually have an increase in the upper range - I expected this to be more limited but was totally ok with giving up a number of notes at the top end in exchange for a good speaking voice - so getting into a whistle register now is kind of a bonus.

One thing I would actually think to be funny would be to check the reaction of german voice surgeons on giving them a G6 and then telling them that I had voice surgery - lol - the two I had consultations with basically told me my voice would be ruined afterwards more or less - limited range, no singing ability, etc... I would love to surprise them, but I am not so much interested now in actually making appointments with them "just to show them"...

Denjin · February 17, 2016, 03:44:52 PM

Glad things seem to be working out for you, Anja! I love your updates.

It's quite interesting what you wrote about how your range has changed in some ways since surgery.

Wiring most of my funds across next week so only about six weeks to go here...

Ritana · February 17, 2016, 03:59:35 PM

Anjaq is a great source of information. Thank u for sharing your experience in such a detailed way hun!

SarahElizabeth1981 · February 21, 2016, 07:18:37 PM

Ha I finally finished this thread. Started with jennies very first post. Do I get a prize? Well thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences! I'm early in my transition so still working on what to do and when. I definitely want to go to Yes on. The results are amazing.

Denjin · February 23, 2016, 04:33:59 PM

Saw the ENT today, for another reason. However, he did do what seemed like a very quick scope and made me go 'eeeeew'. Said I didn't have any issues, but I imagine I won't really know until I see Dr. Kim in just over a month. At least I guess I know my vocal cords aren't a train wreck.

anjaq · February 24, 2016, 03:43:24 AM

I always ask my ENT to make a video that I send to Dr Kim. They usually do a stroboscopic camera examination so you can see the vocal chords swing. They ususally let me do "eee" in 3 different pitches. It takes about 15-20 seconds basically, but thats enough. I then copy the video and compress it a bit to send it via dropbox or email to Dr Kim to check. Anything else is less preferrable as local ENTs cannot really judge what the result should look like and can basically only say if something is seriously wrong (whichi s of vourse better than no information, especially if one is concerned...

Denjin · February 24, 2016, 11:35:38 AM

The German health care seems much better than the NHS, then. He didn't even have equipment to make a video... oh well! I also love how the GBP has tanked due to Brexit fears and I am wiring funds tonight! My timing is always amazing.

Ritana · February 24, 2016, 11:49:49 AM

In July 2015, the one pound was worth 2.1 dollars. Now, it's about 1.4 dollars

With regards to vocal cords health, Dr Kim used lots of electronic equipment in his assessment. He also had to examine my vocal folds using special electronic devices while I produced different sounds. Only then was he able to diagnose a vocal tremor, asymmetrical vocal folds and scarring.

Denjin · February 24, 2016, 01:29:21 PM

Thanks, Ritana. I just have bad luck in regards to exchange rates.

Most of my money has been wired over now and I'll just pay the rest when I get there. Might as well budget for the botox, too, since it seems almost everyone needs it for some reason.

anjaq · February 25, 2016, 03:22:34 AM

A few weeks before I went to Korea, the EU was in free fall compared to the USD, so I paid about 20% more than the ones who went there half a year earlier.

I think standard ENTs do not have the equipment needed - I always went for clinics here who are specialized in voice! In Germany there are a few voice specialists and they do have the proper equipment. Normal ENTs are too generalized.

By the way - Today its been exactly one year since surgery day for me!

Ritana · February 25, 2016, 04:35:58 AM

Happy VFSANNIVERSARY, Anjaq!

I am at 7.5 week's post op, and although my voice is definitely more feminine than preop, it sounds like a laryngitis-like voice i.e deep (in the female range), hoarse and a bit raspy.

Did you experience that?

Rita

anjaq · February 25, 2016, 06:01:11 AM

Oh definitely the past year was one of painfully slow progress with the voice healing. I was able to hold a presentation after about 4 months, but it was only for 30 people and was not that easy. I was asked if I had a cold for many months. Now in winter I am not asked because probably if it happens, everyone just assumes it to be so...
I think it will take for me a few more months to be really in the stage where the voice is clean again. Hopefully. Although I am aware that some raspiness will probably remain.

Ritana · February 25, 2016, 06:47:19 AM

Oh dear, I've said it and I repeat it. What we have to go through to relieve our dysphoria and gain basic aspects of a ciswoman's body and voice!! The different surgeries, with their recovery times are just draining! I am a few years post SRS, and I have decided not to undergo anymore surgeries, unless they are related to an illness. Enough is enough for me! I have spent so much time and energy on transition surgeries, and I don't want to spend anymore time on recovering from them.

Sorry about the rant, girls!

Ritana · February 25, 2016, 06:56:57 AM

Denjin

I was never asked to wire any money prior to surgery. I paid the day of my preop consultation.

Denjin · February 25, 2016, 12:22:16 PM

Congrats on the one year, Anja.

I'm glad you're finally healing up although I admit all of these stories worry me. As the time gets nearer I am getting more scared since my speaking voice is so critical for my job. *crosses fingers*

Ritana - I sent some money early since my credit card limit wouldn't have left much spare room if I paid when I got there. I did apply for a better card with no international fees, though, and should have it before I go. However, I needed to be prepared in case I didn't get that card before I left.

Ritana · February 25, 2016, 02:56:46 PM

I just withdrew money in advance and took cash with me to avoid any bad surprises.

Don't worry Denjin, you will be fine hun. Just think about the outcome and how feminine your voice will be. In my case I took 5 weeks off work, then I had to take another 2 weeks off as I didn't wanna jeopardise my voice after all what I went through and the money I spent on the surgery and the costs related to it (plane tickets, hotel, unpaid leave, etc).

anjaq · February 25, 2016, 04:05:33 PM

I preferred wiring the money to either risking a credit card failure or carrying literally thousands of Euros of money with me on the plane and bus and hotel...

I think also that taking 5 weeks off makes sense and that one should not work with the voice too much in the 3-4 weeks afterwards. It may be hard because jobs are sometimes demanding this, but it should be worth it, considering the price of the surgery. One thing that I really do not want to do in these cases is to take vacation to do trans related surgeries. I regard being transsexual as a sort of sickness and thus believe that getting remedies for it is no different from getting remedies against diabetes or heart problems or whatever else. I believe that health insurances should cover it as well, but I certainly think that it is not our own fault or choice to do these surgeries and thus it should be regular sick leave. If you can find a doctor that will write you unfit for work for this time (which in fact you are, considering you are not allowed to speak for 4 weeks and then not allowed more than minimal conversation for another 4 weeks) , get that...

Denjin · February 25, 2016, 04:42:53 PM

I may take some sick leave if I can... I assume I can bring a letter from Dr. Kim explaining what I had done and get my doctor to write a note? As long as it gives me a letter that doesn't out me at work anyway.

I may be able to work and just use IM or something and have told them I'll be a mute for 4 weeks.

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Yeson voice feminization surgery 2.0