Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Facial feminization surgery => Topic started by: scrambledeggs on November 02, 2018, 08:15:36 AM

Title: Has anyone experienced complications from a tracheal shave?
Post by: scrambledeggs on November 02, 2018, 08:15:36 AM
So I don't have a prominent Adam's apple but the surgeon I'm interested in wants to do chin sculpting that involves a lower face lift.  He said that after the surgery my Adam's apple will be more noticeable and recommends a tracheal shave.

I have a passing female voice and I'm afraid that this procedure might affect that. I also don't want to end up as a mute or with a raspy voice.

Is there anyone who has experienced complications from a tracheal shave? If so, what happened and was it able to be corrected?
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced complications from a tracheal shave?
Post by: Ethelind on November 02, 2018, 03:11:48 PM
I have a similar concern. My voice seems to be considered feminine by everyone I meet and even surprises some people who know I'm trans. I personally don't really like it but it's definitely helped my passing over the years. Surgeon and Alexandra have downplayed the risk but it is there. If the vocal chords are permanently damaged there doesn't seem to be a quick fix, or any fix at all idk :/. Maybe voice surgery.
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced complications from a tracheal shave?
Post by: PurplePelican on November 02, 2018, 03:26:07 PM
There are risks and complications with any procedure..

That said, trawling through my memory doesn't prompt me to go off and do any searches. I don't remember reading about any serious complications from a trach shave. Complaints? Yes - mostly that the surgeon didn't take enough off.
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced complications from a tracheal shave?
Post by: Dani on November 02, 2018, 07:54:39 PM
I had a trache shave about one year ago. My surgeon was careful to not remove cartilage near the vocal chords because he said that if the vocal chords are damaged, I would have a raspy sounding voice. There is still a small lump where the Adam's apple was, but it is not really noticeable and is definitely a feminine appearance.

Shaving the trache down too much will not give you any better appearance. Pick a surgeon who knows where to stop.
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced complications from a tracheal shave?
Post by: Lady Sarah on November 02, 2018, 08:47:14 PM
My tracheal shave left vocal cords messed up, and i had lost my female voice range for several years. Eventually, my voice recovered, but it still sucked. Of course, my apple was huge, and had to go. I was sick and tired of people staring me straight in the throat and calling me Sir.
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced complications from a tracheal shave?
Post by: Jessica_Rose on November 02, 2018, 10:11:49 PM
I had a trachea shave in early Jan of this year. Although my Adam's Apple was average, the surgeon said he had to be somewhat 'aggressive'. My throat was sore for a few weeks and I felt like clearing my throat quite frequently for a month or two, but I did not experience any changes to my voice. The incision has also healed beautifully, even I have a hard time finding it.