I had my trachea done. I used to hit a high C -- when will my vocals return -- if so, how long, it's been 1month now.

As indicated laryngeal shave surgery should not alter ones voice.  The procedure should remove excess cartilage from the outer laryngeal framework.  The vocal cords insert half way up the thyroid cartilage.  If you have voice change see your surgeon and have an assessment with fiberoptic  laryngoscopy.  

Hello,There can be small changes in the voice after Adam's apple shaving. However, this generally will resolve over time, and is more likely to be noted by singers using a wide range. This typically has more to do with swelling rather than actual damage to the vocal cords. So, I would wait until 3 months after surgery. If it isn't resolved by then, getting a study to evaluate the cords could be useful. Be sure to keep follow-ups with your surgeon. All the best,Dr. BlaggAustin, TX

It sounds like you must be a singer. I would recommend seeing a laryngologist to assess the insertion of the vocal cords on the thyroid cartilage (cartilage that makes up the Adam's Apple). It is very likely that at least part of that insertion was removed in surgery. I use a fiberoptic camera to aid in marking the exact point of the insertion site during this procedure. The site can vary, so if a camera wasn't used you can't guarantee that inadvertent damage didn't happen. Swelling should have mostly subsided at this point. If it is a matter of vocal hygiene or strain after surgery, a laryngologist can have you see a speech therapist at that point. The most reputable person I know in your area is Brianna Crawley, MD who is on faculty at Loma Linda University. 
Best of luck to you,
Sarah Saxon, MD

A reduction of the prominence of the thyroid notch should not have a long term effect on your singing voice if done properly, as only the anterior (or "front) surface of the cartilage is typically reduced, as your vocal folds (or vocal cords) attach on the posterior (or "back") surface of this.  This should not have a long term effect on your singing voice.  However, as it has only been one month since surgery, there is a chance that local swelling can account for the change in pitch, as your voice is the most finely tuned instrument there is, and it takes just the smallest disturbance to throw this off of tune.  

That said, I think that at the one month point I would wait, as local swelling in the surrounding area after surgery is expected.  Laryngoscopy and stroboscopy would tell you much more, though my inclination is to give it time.  These would be especially helpful if you had preoperative exams to compare to, which singers often do.

Summit Kundaria, MD
Nuance Facial Plastics
Charlotte, NC

A shave of the laryngeal eminence or Adams Appleshould not  disturb the attachments of the vocal cords . The shave should not be too deep. Indirect laryngoscopy or fiberoptic laryngoscopy wouldbe appropriate to directly visualize the vocal cord motion to determine if there is any trauma or injury to the vocal cords or even video stroboscopy. which will detect fine vocal cord aberrations with motion during vocalization.Michael Eisemann M.D.Plasticv surgeon/ Otolaryngologist Head and Neck SurgeonHouston. Texas