FemLar in Australia ?

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

So I finally got a reply from Jody at Dr Thomas' office (it took a week for some reason) telling me that they are booked out until next year.

This isn't ideal for me and would mean rescheduling SRS. But I am willing to do that. I have a year off study to get everything done and need to make the most of it.

So I was doing some googling and I found a doctor in my own country who seems to offer FemLar. I read about it here.

Does anyone have any experience with Dr Broadhurst? It does mention Dr Thomas on that page so I'm assuming it's the same procedure. I can't find anything on RealSelf and I don't want to go to an inexperienced surgeon for such an important procedure. I've emailed them already in the hopes to find out about his experience level and hopefully get some before and afters.

[PurplePelican]

This guy is far from an inexperienced surgeon.. The only question is how many of these has he done? How often does he do it? And I'm not sure they are even really questions - this guy as as qualified/experienced as most..

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

This guy is far from an inexperienced surgeon.. The only question is how many of these has he done? How often does he do it? And I'm not sure they are even really questions - this guy as as qualified/experienced as most..

That's exactly what I meant - how experienced is he with this procedure in particular.

[Cindy]

I know of other surgeons, including one in Adelaide, who do this procedure and their outcomes seem fine. As kelly said the qualifications of the person are excellent but are you in a mind to trust them with this? I think this may be a case of going to the person you trust as the outcome seems to be affected by how much work and effort you put in post surgery and if you have doubts that may be compromised.

I must qualify my point of view after having had my larynx removed and losing speech. I wouldn't let anyone near my vocal cords (if I had them) and risk losing speech. It is too precious no matter what you sound like!

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I know of other surgeons, including one in Adelaide, who do this procedure and their outcomes seem fine. As kelly said the qualifications of the person are excellent but are you in a mind to trust them with this? I think this may be a case of going to the person you trust as the outcome seems to be affected by how much work and effort you put in post surgery and if you have doubts that may be compromised.

I must qualify my point of view after having had my larynx removed and losing speech. I wouldn't let anyone near my vocal cords (if I had them) and risk losing speech. It is too precious no matter what you sound like!

I completely respect your opinion and what you have been through Cindy. My voice is something that gives me more dysphoria than anything else (even my genitals) so this is really important to me. I am doing my research to ensure the risk is as small as possible, and I believe these procedures have come a long way.

[Cindy]

Sorry Hon. I didn't mean to sound 'high horse'.

I still think in your case that trust and experience could be an important factor.

[AnonyMs]

If you're looking for low risk I'm not sure why you'd look anywhere except Yeson. There's a large number of independent reviews of their work and I can't think of any problems with voice damage. I've come across it not working a few times, but I think that's caused by lack of voice training.

[kwala]

So sorry he's booked.

I have to agree with those above. If you're considering another surgeon I would recommend you contact them to see if they have before and after clips that you can listen to or at the very least, ask them some detailed questions about their results, specifically about volume loss and hoarseness.

I also don't want to come off as "high horse" but this is your voice and you do NOT want to go through my experience, trust me! It's your decision of course, but if it were me I would either wait it out with Thomas or go to Yeson.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

If you're looking for low risk I'm not sure why you'd look anywhere except Yeson. There's a large number of independent reviews of their work and I can't think of any problems with voice damage. I've come across it not working a few times, but I think that's caused by lack of voice training.

The problem is that I want a tracheal shave done as well. My FFS surgeon can't do it at the same time he does everything else due to something to do with the osteotomy. Then I could have Dr Suporn do the tracheal shave, but then I have to wait 4 months until I can have VFS with Yeson, which will be only 2 months out from returning to living alone and studying. I need a fully functioning voice for university.

That is why I have my sights set on Dr Thomas. He will do the tracheal shave all in one go as part of the FemLar procedure. The voice is generally back to normal about 10 weeks or so after which seems quicker than glottoplasty, so therefore more suitable for my schedule.

So sorry he's booked.

I have to agree with those above. If you're considering another surgeon I would recommend you contact them to see if they have before and after clips that you can listen to or at the very least, ask them some detailed questions about their results, specifically about volume loss and hoarseness.

I also don't want to come off as "high horse" but this is your voice and you do NOT want to go through my experience, trust me! It's your decision of course, but if it were me I would either wait it out with Thomas or go to Yeson.

I don't consider anyone being a high horse when they're legitimately trying to help me like you're doing kwala. I do think I'm going to wait it out for Thomas. Did you find his assistant took a long time to get back to you?

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

Sorry Hon. I didn't mean to sound 'high horse'.

I still think in your case that trust and experience could be an important factor.

You didn't come across like that Cindy. <3

I agree... I'm not going to someone who hasn't got a stellar reputation.

[Dena]

That is why I have my sights set on Dr Thomas. He will do the tracheal shave all in one go as part of the FemLar procedure. The voice is generally back to normal about 10 weeks or so after which seems quicker than glottoplasty, so therefore more suitable for my schedule.

I think whoever you decide on, you could find the recovery period is much longer than 10 weeks. It appears you have never been through surgery so your underestimating the recovery time. Swelling can take a long time to go down and not using your voice will result in weakness which will take time to recover from. Unless your class work requires that you make long, uninterrupted speeches, your voice shouldn't be much of a problem. I have heard glottoplasty voices that sound good in as little as 6 weeks but a full recover can take close to a year.

There is a reason why often doctors like to see at least 6 months between surgery. That's sufficient time for most of the healing to take place before the doctor preforms another assault to the body. Yes, your young and will probably recover faster than somebody much older however I was only 30 and in very good health when I had GCS but it still really took it out of me.

[kwala]

His assistant was pretty responsive to me. If you're waiting on an email, you may also want to consider calling in. I know it is a busy practice but there are people at the desk all day long.

Healing is certainly an ongoing process that fully takes months to a year after any surgery, but I don't think it's unrealistic at all to think that your voice would be strong enough at ten weeks post-femlar for day to day voice use at university. I'm at 6 weeks and my voice has been totally fine anywhere except really noisy places like a bar or loud restaurant since week 4.

[Kendra]

I think the potential for excellent/okay/bad vocal results is the most important factor by far.  Unlike any of the other surgeries we consider, this involves a delicate musical instrument.  I listened carefully to a large number of uploaded before/after results (need about a year to really know) before making a decision.

A less important factor to consider is aesthetic.  The option I went with didn't involve an external incision.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I think the potential for excellent/okay/bad vocal results is the most important factor by far.  Unlike any of the other surgeries we consider, this involves a delicate musical instrument.  I listened carefully to a large number of uploaded before/after results (need about a year to really know) before making a decision.

A less important factor to consider is aesthetic.  The option I went with didn't involve an external incision.

At this point I'm not bothered about the incision. The photos of the resulting scar I have seen don't seem all that bad. I'm also young and experienced with makeup on a professional level, so I know I'll be able to conceal the scar while it fades.

I think Yeson and Thomas are both great options and the reason I chose the latter is because I'm young and I think the technique will provide exactly the results I'm after, as well as giving me a superior tracheal reduction. As I'm slim my adam's apple does protrude more than average so I'm confident Thomas' technique will give me the best result, as he doesn't simply 'shave' the protusion down.


Thank you so much for all your advice everyone! What would I do without Susan's?

I'm aiming to have FemLar done with Dr Thomas in May 2019, 4 months after SRS. All in all this is a good thing as my mother pointed out, there will be more time inbetween each surgery. An added bonus is both my parents will now be able to accompany me as opposed to just one.

[kwala]

Sounds like a great decision to me! No need to rush things, better to get them done right, and by the right person.