Trachea shave today!

[Jessica_Rose]

Today's photo looks MUCH better. The ice pack appears to have removed the ink on my neck along with most of the bruising and swelling. Moving my head more than about 30 degrees to either side, tilting my head back, and swallowing are still uncomfortable, but overall it feels much better today.

Photos: Pre surgery, 3hrs post surgery, 1 Day post surgery

[Laurie]

  It is definitely looking better Jessica. It's bound to be still sore. Heck girl, they just got done cutting your throat!! Of course it hurts.

  I tried to get a sideways picture of mine but I have too much neck fat to show it well. Mine doesn't look too bad from the side, but straight on it is very noticeable. I am very conscious of it because  you cannot miss it and is a dead giveaway. As long as it's there I will never be taken as a woman. I am sure that is how you felt about yours. My adams apple is probably my biggest concern physically closely followed by those parts hanging below the belt. Next would be my voice and last my beer belly waist. They all keep from from being comfortable as myself but my bigger problems are those in my head.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[Jessica_Rose]

I had my first follow-up appointment via phone yesterday. I can shower again! I can replace the tape if it falls off on its own, but I am not supposed to pull it off. I can't speak at my normal volume yet, but it is getting better. There is no raspiness or hoarseness at all. I can turn my head side to side with much less discomfort. There is still some tightness when tilting my head back, it feels almost like I have some tape on my neck! I also feel like I have to clear my throat frequently. The area is still a bit swollen and tender to touch, but there is no obvious bruising. I plan to skip my pain meds this morning to see if I still need them.

Photos: Pre surgery, 2 days post-op

[Laurie]

Progress is great Jessica but don't push it. Healing is done on it's own time table not ours.

Laurie

[Rachel]

Congratulations, the progress photos look good.

I had my thyroid cartledge shaved and placed behind the cricoid cartledge on 12/11/17. My scar is directly over where my Adams apple was, it was very small. I am using coconut oil and vitamin E oil on the scar. My scar is definitely decreasing in size.

Good luck in the healing. 

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

It is looking greaaaat!

[Jessica_Rose]

Yawning is still somewhat uncomfortable, but things are steadily improving. My range of motion has increased quite a bit and my voice is stronger. There really isn't any notable pain anymore, I stopped taking the percocet yesterday and have not noticed any difference in comfort. I have a follow-up on Monday, hopefully they will pull the tape off then.

Pre-op, 3hrs Post-op, 72hrs Post-op

[Jessica_Rose]

I had my follow-up appointment with the surgeon today. He said everything was looking good. He mentioned that he had had been a little aggressive during the surgery, and that he had overlapped some of the muscles to help provide a smoother appearance. He also said that my voice should continue to improve over the next few weeks as the swelling continues to go down. A nurse replaced the tape over the incision with a much smaller piece, and the surgeon said I could remove the tape this weekend and begin using concealer if I want. I got some silicone sheeting which is supposed to help the scar heal more smoothly, and I will also get some vitamin E oil as Rachel suggested. I'll post some new photos once I can remove the tape and see what the incision looks like.

[Rachel]

Hi Jessica,

I know I was omitting something. I need to get the silicone sheathing. Thanks heaps.

Odd, my scar on the left of center is flat and not very noticeable and the right is raised a bit and noticeable.