Hi All,
There doesn't seem to be much discussion here on Susan's about voice surgery. It would seem to warrant it's own child board of "MTF Transsexual Talk" (get it, yuck yuck :D) as there are many options out there. I do know that it is a bit unproven, or irratic results, within the realm of feminizing surgeries for the MtF transgender person, but lots of folks go through the various voice altering and pitch raising procedures.
I'm presently evaluating options. I'm not sold on the idea, but being sir'ed day in and day out on the phone is getting very old. I have consultations with two doctors that seem to have good feedback, or at least mostly good feedback from other women. Dr Morrison out of VCH (Vancouver Health), and Dr Thomas out of Portland.
Does anyone have any stories / experiences they care to share on voice surgery? The two procedures I'm looking at are Femlar (Dr Thomas), or the much more inexpensive CTA (Dr Morrison). I'm leaning towards the CTA, if I were to go forward, as it's less intrusive. Regardless, I'm definitely going to give more time to my voice therapy and practice, I'm not really fond of the idea of yet one more additional surgery, as I'm presently sandwiched in time between a grueling FFS surgery, and an upcoming SRS surgery, I've had enough!!! lol....
I've been through two voice therapy programs, and I definitely have the dynamics of raising pitch down, as well as thoroughly understand the roles of breathing, and resonance in raising speaking pitch. I just can't seem to find that voice, the one that clicks, after almost a year of practice, mostly full time in that year, and 100% full time since March (always using my femme voice) and exercises, and therapies, etc. It's my largest hurdle thus far in my transition, and one that I have the greatest urgency to be rid of.
*huggs*,
Melan
I have been trying to find information on this subject for a while now. All I seem to find are questionable reviews and recommendations not to.
This page has many individual stories:
http://www.tsroadmap.com/physical/voice/voicesurg.html (http://www.tsroadmap.com/physical/voice/voicesurg.html)
But also strongly recommends against it. There is no publish date on that page, so it is hard to know when it was written. The referances a resource in 2003, so it is newer then 5 years. If you had any information at all it would be helpful to me. I have looked at voice therapy and do it yourself items, and my gut is telling me this isn't going to happen for me.
-- Galantha
Hi Galantha,
There are a few resources that I have found out there, many of them after reading through posts at the TSVoiceSurgery yahoo group. There are several helpful people in that yahoo group.
You can also google Dr. Thomas's web site, he's in portland, and the same for Dr. Morrison, in Vancouver. They talk about the various procedures available that they do. (I don't think I'm allowed to post links here).
My 2nd level of attack includes surgeon consults, and asking for patient references from the surgeons that would be willing for me to contact them. I did this same approach for FFS, and it proved to be a wonderful way to glean information that you can't necessarily find on the web. Nothing like hearing about experiences from the mouth of a post op patient.
*huggs*,
Melan
I guess I was lucky. I went through vocal feminization training at the GWU Speech & Hearing Center, and they told me I was the fastest learner they'd ever trained. I achieved a completely successful female voice within two semesters and graduated, whereas the others have to go for 4 semesters and many still don't succeed even then. What a relief to never even have to think of surgery! I have heard nothing but "ma'am" over the phone since shortly after I began the training.
The training at GWU is excellent, and I cannot recommend it strongly enough. But I also seem to have been gifted with natural aptitude, aided no doubt by my musical and linguistic studies.
Quote from: Melan on July 03, 2009, 02:49:41 PM
Hi Galantha,
There are a few resources that I have found out there, many of them after reading through posts at the TSVoiceSurgery yahoo group. There are several helpful people in that yahoo group.
You can also google Dr. Thomas's web site, he's in portland, and the same for Dr. Morrison, in Vancouver. They talk about the various procedures available that they do. (I don't think I'm allowed to post links here).
My 2nd level of attack includes surgeon consults, and asking for patient references from the surgeons that would be willing for me to contact them. I did this same approach for FFS, and it proved to be a wonderful way to glean information that you can't necessarily find on the web. Nothing like hearing about experiences from the mouth of a post op patient.
*huggs*,
Melan
Your post holds a great deal of good information. However, I would like to ask about the surgeon consults. I am very ignorant of the medical profession, and I was wondering are the surgeons literally giving you a list of names / phone numbers of people to contact about their work? Do you just ask them for this?
Thank you for the *hugg*,
-- Galantha
Post Merge: July 03, 2009, 03:39:57 PM
Quote from: Hypatia on July 03, 2009, 03:00:51 PM
I guess I was lucky. I went through vocal feminization training at the GWU Speech & Hearing Center, and they told me I was the fastest learner they'd ever trained. I achieved a completely successful female voice within two semesters and graduated, whereas the others have to go for 4 semesters and many still don't succeed even then. What a relief to never even have to think of surgery! I have heard nothing but "ma'am" over the phone since shortly after I began the training.
The training at GWU is excellent, and I cannot recommend it strongly enough. But I also seem to have been gifted with natural aptitude, aided no doubt by my musical and linguistic studies.
This sounds like a wonderfull thing, and I am very happy for you. While I do not live in Washington it does give me the idea to wonder about local such institutions. Was this just a single class a few days a week, or was it a full course load for two semestersf oryou?
Thanks for your information and help,
Galantha
Quote from: Galantha on July 03, 2009, 03:34:42 PM
Your post holds a great deal of good information. However, I would like to ask about the surgeon consults. I am very ignorant of the medical profession, and I was wondering are the surgeons literally giving you a list of names / phone numbers of people to contact about their work? Do you just ask them for this?
Thank you for the *hugg*,
-- Galantha
Yes, most reputable surgeons (not just voice) will give you references once you establish yourself as a potential client with them. Usually this is post-consultation. The caveat being that they can choose who they give you, and they will tend towards those who are satisfied with their results. (for obvious reasons).
In a one word, for me, ah............NO. I used voice training and have come to a place that I am happy. And from the point of view that others react to my voice, I am a hit. so to speak.
Darn sorry for the pun. ;D
Quote from: Galantha on July 03, 2009, 03:34:42 PMThis sounds like a wonderfull thing, and I am very happy for you. While I do not live in Washington it does give me the idea to wonder about local such institutions. Was this just a single class a few days a week, or was it a full course load for two semestersf oryou?
One hour per week.
Glad to see a topic for this, ive been having the same curiosity. Though from all the research ive done, im agreeing with the majority of il just take the speech classes and learn that way hehe, far to many risks, maybe later on a better method will come out to make the operation less risky.
Congrats to those who found the voice they were looking for, im trying to self teach for now, and with help from a few friends. The results aren't to where im happy with them, but until i can get some professional teaching, its at a tolerable level.
btw: Grats Hypatia on learning so quickly, that's a feat of itself ide say!
I personally don't need it as my voice is ok but in the U.K they do the operation but the results are not very positive. Is the operation more successful in the U.S?