Small update on VFS with James Thomas

16
u/Ms_Waffle_Iron
Sat Jan 29 23:35:54 2022 UTC
*
(18 comments)

The surgery itself went fine, and everything healed up properly. Resonance is significantly improved. However pitch is only a tad higher despite my vocal cords being about 40% their original length

Had a laser revision earlier this month to further tighten the vocal cords and hopefully get my pitch more into a feminine range. Hopefully one treatment is enough, but it can be repeated several times

My voice is still weak from said laser revision and hasn't healed yet so I'll make another post once it is

last post of mine about this: https://www.reddit.com/r/Transgender_Surgeries/comments/pxjg3x/just_got_vfs_femlar_with_james_thomas_in_portland/

all 18 comments


3
u/Responsible-Light-42
Sun Jan 30 06:57:27 2022 UTC
(6 children)

Thank you for posting this and keeping us updated. I hope your pitch is raised with the new treatment. I am getting this surgery with Dr Thomas this spring. I was wondering how long did you have to stay in the area after surgery? How long before you felt comfortable to return to work? Also, I know your pitch was only raised by a few semitones but was it worth it still?

5
OP
Sun Jan 30 07:00:18 2022 UTC
(5 children)

So far I've only gone up 1 note when the usual is 5. I live in the area, and stayed at home the entire time, but he usually wants people to be there a full week. My work requires a fair bit of talking so I had to wait quite a while before I could return. But I felt physically fine enough to return within a few days

Sun Jan 30 16:33:19 2022 UTC
(2 children)

[deleted]

1
OP
Sun Jan 30 19:21:30 2022 UTC
(1 child)

They can do CO2, but it's more of a hassle, and I'd like to avoid more general anesthesia if I can. Learned I don't tolerate it well

2
Sun Jan 30 07:07:48 2022 UTC
(1 child)

I'm surprised I didn't realize it went only went up 1 note. Was it still worth getting the surgery? Also did you have to wait a few weeks or like a month before returning? I too am required to talk a lot for work and am just trying to plan accordingly.

3
OP
Sun Jan 30 07:24:46 2022 UTC
(0 children)

If there was no option of revision I would say it wasn't worth it. But would say it has been worth it so far with revisions being a thing. Quick before and after. 1 weeks before surgery, and 3 months after https://youtu.be/vsQPHZZIOvY

3
u/Responsible-Light-42
Sun Jan 30 07:34:33 2022 UTC
(1 child)

Wow that does sound like 1 note up. It has only been 3 months though. Hopefully with more healing time and vocal lessons the pitch will continue to get better. Plus with the revision it should sound really nice.

3
OP
Sun Jan 30 07:36:35 2022 UTC
(0 children)

I've never been able to do voice training. Even saw an actual speech therapist for a while. It's just not something I can do and is why I got the surgery

2
u/[deleted]
Sun Jan 30 17:58:25 2022 UTC
(2 children)

What were the cots involved in this? If you don't mind me asking. I am weighing my options between this and professional lessons.

1
OP
Sun Jan 30 19:19:19 2022 UTC
(1 child)

$15,550 not including travel and lodging if you don't live in the area. I would always recommend voice training, and professional lessons before surgery. This was sort of a last resort for me after spending multiple years trying to do any amount of training

2
Sun Jan 30 19:42:21 2022 UTC
(0 children)

Thanks I am working on my voice, but I have a long way to go.

2
u/subbygirl13
Tue Feb 1 14:26:57 2022 UTC
(3 children)

Hi! Thank you so much for posting! May ask, how is the swelling? Does it feel as though it restricts breathing or swallowing significantly?

I've got some sensory issues that were the hardest part of FFS, and that scares me as much as anything

1
OP
Tue Feb 1 20:23:29 2022 UTC
(2 children)

There was a lump in my throat feeling at first with a bit of pain swallowing. But it was entirely gone within 3 or 4 days

2
Tue Feb 1 21:04:52 2022 UTC
(1 child)

Nice! Thank you for telling me!

2
OP
Wed Feb 2 01:04:29 2022 UTC
(0 children)

Was a little annoying to eat for a few days, but everything was more or less back to normal within a week

u/[deleted]
Mon Jan 31 12:15:04 2022 UTC
(1 child)

[removed]

1
OP
Mon Jan 31 22:35:56 2022 UTC
(0 children)

Full fitness?

1
u/whateveriguess111
Thu Dec 29 17:22:00 2022 UTC
(1 child)

Hey is your Adam’s apple now still viable ?

1
OP
Fri Dec 30 03:03:36 2022 UTC
(0 children)

It was completely removed