Yet Another Question Regarding Trach Shave

[Kristyn]

In addition to my GRS, I've decided to undergo a trach shave.  I really don't have much there, but what I do have is somewhat noticeable and quite bothersome.  I've read the wikki and searched through the archives, but I still haven't found the answers I'm looking for.  I'm looking for the experiences of others who have undergone the procedure and am particularly interested in learning if anyone has had a noticeable decrease in quality or just a general change in their voice.  I sing so I'm particularly concerned about this.  As well, the fact that I sing is one of the reasons I do not want to go under general anesthesia because of potential damage which can be caused by the breathing tube.

Thanks!

[jade]

Hi,

I had my Tracheal Shave done by Dr. Burin in July 2009 at PAI in Bangkok.
I believe it has made my voice huskier and I can't go as high as I used to be able to with my voice.
However, it did get rid of the Eve's apple.

I was in Phuket between mid June-July this year, I had some work done with Dr. Kunaporn.
I must say he is a very kind and skilled surgeon, his partner Dr. Rushapol does FFS and body contouring work,
I believe they could perform your tracheal shave without ruining your vocal quality.

Hope this answers your question.

[Kristyn]

Hi,

I had my Tracheal Shave done by Dr. Burin in July 2009 at PAI in Bangkok.
I believe it has made my voice huskier and I can't go as high as I used to be able to with my voice.
However, it did get rid of the Eve's apple.

I was in Phuket between mid June-July this year, I had some work done with Dr. Kunaporn.
I must say he is a very kind and skilled surgeon, his partner Dr. Rushapol does FFS and body contouring work,
I believe they could perform your tracheal shave without ruining your vocal quality.

Hope this answers your question.

Thanks Jade, I'll be having mine done with Dr Brassard along with my srs in September.  I'm pretty confident that he will do an excellent job as he's done so many and I haven't heard of anyone complaining in regards to his trach procedure. 

[Cruelladeville]

I had one too with Mr Cheesman....had to have voice profile pre/post to check all ok....

And it was made clear to me that it could be risky... (perfect result though) scar hardly visible in neck crease line...

My voice did get affected..... so resting it key for recovery....

And if i'm in a noisy venue (for a fair few hours) can still loose it if I push it too far....

[Kristyn]

I had one too with Mr Cheesman....had to have voice profile pre/post to check all ok....

And it was made clear to me that it could be risky... (perfect result though) scar hardly visible in neck crease line...

My voice did get affected..... so resting it key for recovery....

And if i'm in a noisy venue (for a fair few hours) can still loose it if I push it too far....

How was your voice affected?

[Cruelladeville]

He had pioneered a new techinuqe Kristyn....

I was only the 2nd patient to undergo this....so another surgeon in fact asked me if it was okay to stand in and observe what was going on.

Mr. Cheesman, (FRCS) was a top London Cromwell Hospital based ENT man.....lovely chap, probably the most kindest/considerate guy I met back then.... in the early 90's....

His Thyrochondroplasty involved the vocal chord box being cut/changed.....I had a very prominent lump as it happened....(at that time), gulp....

So it just had to go....so to speak....lol

I was also more prone to sore throats for the first few years....but you just can't really be that girlie with such a deep voice and massive Adam's apple....can you?

And my voice was altered up a tad but not to silly-millie mouse range....

I sound very Mariella Frostrup as it happens....

[Kristyn]

He had pioneered a new techinuqe Kristyn....

I was only the 2nd patient to undergo this....so another surgeon in fact asked me if it was okay to stand in and observe what was going on.

Mr. Cheesman, (FRCS) was a top London Cromwell Hospital based ENT man.....lovely chap, probably the most kindest/considerate guy I met back then.... in the early 90's....

His Thyrochondroplasty involved the vocal chord box being cut/changed.....I had a very prominent lump as it happened....(at that time), gulp....

So it just had to go....so to speak....lol

I was also more prone to sore throats for the first few years....but you just can't really be that girlie with such a deep voice and massive Adam's apple....can you?

And my voice was altered up a tad but not to silly-millie mouse range....

I sound very Mariella Frostrup as it happens....

Thanks.  Sounds very invasive, fortunately your voice went up rather than down.  Dr Brassard is somewhat conservative in his approach and I really don't have too much there but, what I do have is noticeable so I really need to get this done.

Thanks 

[Cruelladeville]

Hope it goes well for you ma dear....

Every little helps....if done well!

[Debra]

Yeah I just recently added this to my GCS with Marci Bowers. My adams apple shows really bad sometimes so it's very much needed

[Julie Marie]

Konior (facial surgeon) did mine in June 2008.  My MD told me to have him come in from under the chin so there won't be any scar on my neck.  Konior did and I'm happy I asked.  No noticeable change in voice but swallowing was a bit difficult for a while. I too didn't need much but I figured every little bit helps.

I strongly suggest you ask Brassard to make the incision under the chin.  I saw one girl after he did her trach shave and he cut at the neck.  From personal experience, I wouldn't put him at the top of my list of surgeons who do nice stitch jobs.  His stitch jobs, for a plastic surgeon, are kind of poor.  No way I'd let him make a neck incision on me.

[Kristyn]

Konior (facial surgeon) did mine in June 2008.  My MD told me to have him come in from under the chin so there won't be any scar on my neck.  Konior did and I'm happy I asked.  No noticeable change in voice but swallowing was a bit difficult for a while. I too didn't need much but I figured every little bit helps.

I strongly suggest you ask Brassard to make the incision under the chin.  I saw one girl after he did her trach shave and he cut at the neck.  From personal experience, I wouldn't put him at the top of my list of surgeons who do nice stitch jobs.  His stitch jobs, for a plastic surgeon, are kind of poor.  No way I'd let him make a neck incision on me.

I'll ask him about the under chin incision but I doubt he'll do it.  Given that, I'm pretty good when it comes to healing scars so I'm not overly concerned with it.  Thanks Julie 

[Kristyn]

Yeah I just recently added this to my GCS with Marci Bowers. My adams apple shows really bad sometimes so it's very much needed

Yep.  It's amazing as to how critical a detail it really is.  It really puts a strain on my confidence.

[jade]

If I could go back in time, I probably would have chosen a reputable Ear-Nose-Throat Surgeon to do this procedure.
Because that's their specialty, they would know how to perform a better reduction than a plastic surgeon who is not concerned about potential damage risk to the vocal cords. I had asked my ENT who did my nose to perform, but he was the lump was too small, and it was unneccesaary and if i have a scar, thats when people will doubt bla bla...so that's why I had it out in Thailand because they do it everyday so its like cracking a nut for them.