Hi girls

Today is my one month "anniversary" post vfs with Dr Kim. I tried to say a few words but nothing came out! I was so shocked and distressed that I burst out crying.

I am due back at work on Monday. I have already used 7 days on top of my 26 day annual leave. While my superior at work has agreed to temporarily move me to an admin position, where I won't need to use my voice much, I still need to be able to communicate to a minumum with my co-workers.

I have followed the post op instructions very carefully. I haven't spoken or whispered for a whole month, with the exception of two words (by accident).; I followed a strict diet of no caffeine, no alcohol, no chocolate, no nuts, no hot or spicy food. I have been drinking tons of water on a daily basis, and I have been doing the massaging and breathing exercises as requested. I even bought myself a water humidifier (same brand used by Yeson) that I used for two weeks upon my return home.

I find the situation very distressing, especially that I've used all my life savings to pay for the cost of this surgery, flights, hotel, etc.  I am left with absolutely nothing!

Has anyone found themselves in a similar situation regarding recovery?

Thanks

Rita

First, have a *hug*.

Try to relax.
With muscles for example if they are not moved for a longer time it takes some time to recover.

You might contact them and ask if there are things that could help...
like drinking warm teas of special sorts...

hope you are all right soon...


hugs

Hugs back to you Laura, you are a sweetheart hun!

I can email them now but Friday's business day is over in Korea. I will have to wait until Monday. In the meantime, I feel so depressed, alas!

This is from the internet and might help soothe you a bit:
I tried to find the worst cases about the surgery.  So far, the worst has been patients who said that their pitch is not increased as much as expected (the Center claim ~70Hz increase on average)...  Another story, I read that some aspect of a patient's toothwork ... were damaged by the endoscopic device.  The Center did give this precaution.


hugs

Rita:

Hi. I am sorry you are feeling down. It is an adjustment and not unusual to take longer. Do try to relax as increased stress will not help your situation. Many here have experience similar recover timelines. I wish I had the power to adequately sooth with words.

Please, do try to relax and decompress over the weekend. Hug's and my best wishes for you rapid recovery.

Elaine 

Thanks Elaine, both you are and Laura are very sweet!

Hugs,

Rita

Quote from: Ritana on February 05, 2016, 01:00:07 PM
Thanks Elaine, both you are and Laura are very sweet!

Hugs,

Rita

*hugs* and hope you feel better 

You might also come to the chat.

*hugs*

I keep my fingers crossed for you. I think you may probably just be overly swollen - I have only heard this from DrHaben patients so far, that they were unable to speak after some weeks. But I see no reason why it cannot happen with Dr Kim as well. Another possibility is that the botox is acting stronger on you, then it may take some while to fade.
I would try to do relaxing exercises - not use a lot of power or force yet, but just try to hum at various pitches and see if you can find one that works. Maybe do the lip trills at jus ta relaxed pitch... or try that LaxVox exercise.

Thanks for the advice Anjaq

I managed to speak this morning even though my voice was very weak and hoarse! Dr. Kim did say the botox can have a stronger effect on some patients. The side effects are supposed to last from 4 to 6 weeks. I am at week 4 post botox.

I have no option but to wait and and see how the cookie crumbles.

Quote from: Ritana on February 07, 2016, 07:48:09 AM
Thanks for the advice Anjaq

I managed to speak this morning even though my voice was very weak and hoarse! Dr. Kim did say the botox can have a stronger effect on some patients. The side effects are supposed to last from 4 to 6 weeks. I am at week 4 post botox.

I have no option but to wait and and see how the cookie crumbles.

Have a *hug*.

I'd say stay patient ... do a few light exercises ... and it will get better over time.
Maybe you can tell people you have an issue with voice and have a notepad ready, and write a few words there.
Its only temporary  .


hugs

I went to Dr Haben and we were supposed to be able to talk after 8 days. I was over 2 weeks before I could make the first strangled noise. I carried paper and pen for about a month after that should the voice give out or I needed it to get the message across. Your voice will get better but it may take more time than normal. Use your voice as little as possible but feel free to use it a small amount each day so you can determine the status. By now, much of the healing should have taken place but the swelling may need to go down and you need to build the strength back up again.

Thanks for your replies and support

I used to take my voice for granted. It is incredible how important our voice is to fulfill normal and simole daily tasks such as shopping, ordering, answering the phone, asking for directions, calling you gp, etc.

On a different and more positive note, the weak hoarse voice I have regained so far sounds more feminine than my pre-op untrained voice!

Hurrayyyy:)))

Well that sounds great then already. and if your voice is working, just weak and hoarse, you can use it in emergency situations and in other situations it should be audible to everyone that you are not ready yet to do a job or task that involves a lot of speaking, it should be clear you are not faking anything.