Im a transgender woman, I'm considering getting plastic surgery this year (tracheal shave), however I'm a bit afraid to get it done because my Adam's apple it's too big, what are the risk for complications and will a surgery shave it all? Or just half? I don't want to have something done to still have it , I'm in Florida
Answer: Risks of tracheal shave There are several significant risks associated with this surgery, but with an experienced surgeon they are largely hypothetical. If you take too much of the thyroid cartilage (the structure that created the appearance of an adam's apple) then you can detach the vocal cords and create significant and possibly permanent voice change. An experienced surgeon will not have any trouble determining how much cartilage they can take. It's like driving a car, you could do a lot of damage if it's your first time but an experienced and cautious driver is very safe. There is also a risk of swelling with any surgery around the airway, though this too is rare. Your surgeon will observe you for a period after your surgery and may even perform an endoscopic exam before sending you home to make sure no swelling is present. As long as the proper precautions are taken, this procedure is very safe. Bryan Rolfes, MD
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Answer: Risks of tracheal shave There are several significant risks associated with this surgery, but with an experienced surgeon they are largely hypothetical. If you take too much of the thyroid cartilage (the structure that created the appearance of an adam's apple) then you can detach the vocal cords and create significant and possibly permanent voice change. An experienced surgeon will not have any trouble determining how much cartilage they can take. It's like driving a car, you could do a lot of damage if it's your first time but an experienced and cautious driver is very safe. There is also a risk of swelling with any surgery around the airway, though this too is rare. Your surgeon will observe you for a period after your surgery and may even perform an endoscopic exam before sending you home to make sure no swelling is present. As long as the proper precautions are taken, this procedure is very safe. Bryan Rolfes, MD
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February 12, 2017
Answer: Adams apple reduction Risks of this procedure include bleeding, infection and scarring. Specific risks to this procedure include the rare possibility of permanent voice alteration. This procedure is safe and performed typically by board certified facial plastic surgeons who have training in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery or plastic surgeons with a subspecialty interest in transgender surgery.
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February 12, 2017
Answer: Adams apple reduction Risks of this procedure include bleeding, infection and scarring. Specific risks to this procedure include the rare possibility of permanent voice alteration. This procedure is safe and performed typically by board certified facial plastic surgeons who have training in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery or plastic surgeons with a subspecialty interest in transgender surgery.
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October 4, 2015
Answer: Adams's apple shaving procedure Hi Neowfl, Please make sure that you see a certified plastic surgeon for your procedure, as one of the biggest risks will be going to someone that has little experience with the surgery. Doctors who perform this surgery typically obtain good results. It's probably best to go to a few different consultations and ask about specific risks/complications such as under-correction of the ridge and voice changes post-surgery. I wish you all the best in your journey. You're likely an inspiration to many other transgender individuals, and you should be proud of that. Best, Ross Blagg, M.D.
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October 4, 2015
Answer: Adams's apple shaving procedure Hi Neowfl, Please make sure that you see a certified plastic surgeon for your procedure, as one of the biggest risks will be going to someone that has little experience with the surgery. Doctors who perform this surgery typically obtain good results. It's probably best to go to a few different consultations and ask about specific risks/complications such as under-correction of the ridge and voice changes post-surgery. I wish you all the best in your journey. You're likely an inspiration to many other transgender individuals, and you should be proud of that. Best, Ross Blagg, M.D.
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August 26, 2015
Answer: Trach shave risks Hello NeowflThe risks of trach shave are disrupting the vocal folds with change in voice, problems with breathing or insufficient removal of cartilage. The techniques that we use help prevent all three of these complications. The amount of cartilage that can be safely removed is sufficent in almost all cases. Hope this helps, Best Dr M
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August 26, 2015
Answer: Trach shave risks Hello NeowflThe risks of trach shave are disrupting the vocal folds with change in voice, problems with breathing or insufficient removal of cartilage. The techniques that we use help prevent all three of these complications. The amount of cartilage that can be safely removed is sufficent in almost all cases. Hope this helps, Best Dr M
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Answer: Risks of tracheal shave Complications following a tracheal shave procedure are relatively rare. I place my incision under the chin (instead of over the Adam's apple) for a more inconspicuous scar, so scarring is a potential risk. Another risk is injury to the airway if your surgeon takes too much tissue (rare, especially if performed by a board certified facial plastic surgeon familiar with the anatomy of the larynx). Lastly, there is a rare risk of vocal pitch lowering resulting from destabilization of the vocal cords from taking too much cartilage where they insert on the cartilage framework. As a facial plastic surgeon who spent years of training operating on the vocal cords, I minimize this risk by directly visualizing the vocal cords with a camera during the procedure and only removing cartilage above the insertion point.
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Answer: Risks of tracheal shave Complications following a tracheal shave procedure are relatively rare. I place my incision under the chin (instead of over the Adam's apple) for a more inconspicuous scar, so scarring is a potential risk. Another risk is injury to the airway if your surgeon takes too much tissue (rare, especially if performed by a board certified facial plastic surgeon familiar with the anatomy of the larynx). Lastly, there is a rare risk of vocal pitch lowering resulting from destabilization of the vocal cords from taking too much cartilage where they insert on the cartilage framework. As a facial plastic surgeon who spent years of training operating on the vocal cords, I minimize this risk by directly visualizing the vocal cords with a camera during the procedure and only removing cartilage above the insertion point.
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