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Voice feminisation surgery
I just thought I would add some information, as I have never seen this topic discussed before & a search of forum topics has just brought up a blank.
Like many others I have been trying to raise the pitch of my voice for many years, without much success. Speech pathologists are thin on the ground and those that are working privately are very expensive, if you do not have access to a publicly funded clinic. Also like many others I “pass” reasonably well until I open my mouth.
Last February I attended the WPATH conference in Bangkok and heard Dr Kim from Seoul talk about his technique and the results that he was able to achieve. I was very impressed, so much so, that I sought him out in December 2014. His surgical technique is well described on his web site http://www.yesonvc.net/ so I do not intend to go through that, except to say that he is able to raise the pitch by an average of 74Hz.The male voice pitch range is 130 – 150Hz; the female range is 200-250Hz. After his thorough pre-surgical voice assessment I found that I was talking at 170Hz. I could raise that up to 179Hz which is pretty good but still not into the natal female range.
So I underwent surgery on Christmas Eve. He was able to shorten & thin my vocal folds and advance the anterior commisure. After a month of total silence I have just resumed talking & already people have said that they can hear a difference. That is despite the fact that there would still be oedema present, the botox injection into my arytenoid muscles (which control the vocal folds) is still working & I am not yet allowed to start voice therapy for another month.The final result will not be achieved for about 12 months. Its like growing breasts – it take time. However with work, I expect to be talking within the female range within six months.
The operation is not for the weak willed as the restrictions post op are quite severe. No; smoking,alcohol, chocolate nor caffeine for three months.
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6 Replies
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Lisa_W wrote:The operation is not for the weak willed as the restrictions post op are quite severe. No; smoking,alcohol, chocolate nor caffeine for three months.Those restrictions pale into insignificance against the big one…
Quote:After a month of total silence I have just resumed talkingA month without talking – I would die!!
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Talking to Lisa on Saturday evening after her long month of silence, I thought her voice sounded authentically feminine, but then I’m as deaf as a post without hearing aids and Saturday was one such time. I wish Lisa all the very best for the coming months of vocal restraint.
On a lighter note, I know of a couple of people who would normally be very vocal under the proverbial ‘six feet of wet concrete’ who would benefit being totally silent for a month, followed by vocal restrictions for six months.
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Being quiet for a month!!
I think some who know me might pay for me to have it!
I have on a serious note heard that the results of such surgery are not a perfect or permanent solution. -
Congratulations and thank you for the layperson description. Thinking of you and hope the long term result is as you’re hoping. One question, does the botox need to be repeated or is that all for the medico intervention!
Best wishes, Gail from Canberra -
i had looked into this over the years the surgery shortens the cords but after awhile the cords will stretch back
I have herd the voice after the surgery it sounds like a squeaky toy yes it a few octaves higher but sounds funny
but each to her own i guess
if you think you need this surgery check it out
as it can go wrong pretty quick and there is no second chances with your voice
be safe
salleyj -
Advice I received from a speech therapist a while back was very similar to Salleyj’s contribution. I’m saving up my pennies for voice training instead of surgery.
