Greetings. I know many of you have followed my posts over the last three years but I'll give a brief overview for any newcomers. In 2015, I had a glottoplasty with Dr. Haben in Rochester. He somehow created a web that was way beyond the size of what we had discussed, leaving me with an almost nonfunctional voice box. I could not speak above a whisper and even the whisper sounded like I was gravely ill. I returned to Dr. Haben to have the web decreased but this failed as well and actually made things a little worse (which I did not think was possible). The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, so I consulted a local ent who was successfully able to divide the web. This gave me enough volume back to communicate as long as I wasn't in a really noisy place, but still I sounded like a chain smoker, and I don't smoke.
Not willing to settle with this broken voice I traveled to Korea to see Dr. Kim. I was hoping that his glottoplasty procedure may be able to create a stronger web out of the now scarred anterior portion of my cords. After examining me, he decided that a web was too risky at this point because there would still be too much scarred tissue and it created a large gap that would be even more problematic with a web. He did, however offer a pulse-dye laser treatment to soften the scar tissue, but informed me that this would be a mild improvement at best. He was right, and there was a bit more clarity to my voice, but I still sounded hoarse in most registers.
Always researching and seeking out opinions, I watched James Thomas' YouTube video on his FemLar procedure. He stated in the video that it could be used to correct webbing procedures because he essentially removes the webbed portion altogether. I wasn't sure if this would apply to me because my web was so large and the scarring was so significant that I had my doubts. I went to see him in January to discuss. I told him that my current goals were less about pitch and more about voice quality/decreasing the hoarseness. We came up with a plan to remove the bottom third of my vocal cords, and additionally he would reposition them closer together since the scarring had left my cords bowed and stiff. This would enable them to meet and attain a more complete closure, or at the very least decrease the space of the gap. He was very honest about my chances, noting that scarring is unpredictable but I told him if there was even a decent chance, I was all in. So, I had the surgery exactly two weeks ago and today is my first day off of voice rest.
I have linked two vocaroo examples: the night before surgery, and today. Currently I am blown away. My volume is still low but I have not been able to make a sound this clear in three years. I have faith that more volume will come (its only day 1!) but so far I am cautiously optimistic. My pitch is quite high, it may settle a bit lower but honestly I just want to sound like a regular person and not be constantly asked if I'm sick. I have to continue to take it easy, minimal talking for the next 2 weeks, but I'll be sure to let you all know how it turns out down the road. My only questions now are whether I will continue to gain volume and after a month I will test out singing. I may die on the spot from happiness if I'm able to sing again.
To anyone who is looking into VSF, especially those who have had botched attempts, this surgery may be worth investigating, and I have nothing but positive things to say about Dr. Thomas and his practice. Like I said, it's early and the jury is still out, but I am very pleasantly surprised in only my first day!
Night before FemLar:
https://vocaroo.com/i/s1Fl2DIS5d2UDay 1 of talking after FemLar:
https://vocaroo.com/i/s1B2eJll0JRj
