Voice Feminization surgery is a treatment method applied to people whose voice tone is too deep to be suitable for their gender, age and physical appearance.
The perception of voice in the means of femininity and masculinity mainly depends on the number of vibrations produced by the vocal cords during voice production, that is, the fundamental frequency of the voice. This frequency, which is expected to be above 180 Hz in healthy women, is measured below 120 Hz in men. The mass, length and tension of the vocal cords are the factors that determine the fundamental frequency of the voice. Arrangements are made for these 3 factors in order to provide a change in the voice tones of individuals. While it is necessary to shorten, thin and increase the tension of the patient’s vocal cords in Voice Feminization surgeries, the opposite is performed for voice deepening.
Individuals in the community may need to have Voice Feminization surgeries for several reasons. Among the reasons that push people to have this operation;
- Wanting to have a voice tone appropriate to the existing physical appearance and new sexual identity after gender change,
- Hormonal drugs, which have to be used for different reasons during childhood, cause the person’s voice tone to be deeper than normal,
- Elimination of the problem of voice deepening which can be experienced in individuals who consume heavy smoking,
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Every individual who is exposed to any of the above situations can have the most appropriate tone for their age, gender, physical appearance and personality with Voice Feminization surgery.
As a result of the Voice FeminizationSurgery, which is done through a small incision on the neck or through the mouth, a satisfactory feminization is achieved in the voices of patients.
Prof. Dr. A. Hakan BİRKENT has helped many patients to reach the most appropriate tone of voice by Voice Feminization surgeries for many years. In addition, he developed his own surgical technique (Tensioning Glottoplasty) and obtained successful results.
If you think that you have a deeper voice tone than you want, the tone of your voice is not compatible with your general characteristics (such as age, gender, physical appearance), or you simply want to get a more feminine voice, then you can make an appointment by contacting us immediately, and you can ensure that the most appropriate treatment plan is created and implemented for you.
What is Voice Feminization?
Voice Feminization surgery is a treatment method applied to individuals who has a deeper voice tone compared to their age, gender, physical appearance and personal characteristics. It is generally and commonly performed for the transgender females in order to get a more feminine voice.
The frequency of the voice is the condition that causes the tone of voice to be masculine or feminine in human. As the fundamental frequency of the voice falls, the voice gets deep and becomes thinner as it rises. Voice Feminization Surgery is reported to be a safe, comfortable and effective treatment method of raising the pitch of voice in order to get a more feminine voice. As a result of the Voice Feminization surgery, individuals can have a more impressive, beautiful and feminine voice tone that is more suitable for their expectations.
Who is Voice Feminization Applied To?
Voice Feminization surgery is a safe, comfortable and high success rate treatment method that can be applied to all individuals who think they have a deep voice compared to their physical appearance, gender and age.
Among the people who are mostly asking for Voice Feminization surgery;
- People whose tone of voice is deep as a result of previous hormonal therapies,
- People who want a more high-pitched voice,
- Trans women who want to have a tone of voice that is more appropriate to the new sexual identity,
- Women whose tone of voice is deep due to excessive smoking,
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How is Voice Feminization Surgery Performed?
Voice Feminization Surgery is performed by using different surgical techniques. Among these techniques, the most commonly used method is the Anterior Glottoplasty which is developed by Prof. Dr. Jurgen Wendler about 30 years ago.
In the Wendler’s Glottoplasty technique, approximately one third of the front part of the vocal cords is sutured together to shorten the vocal cords. This application is performed by placing 2 or 3 stitches in the front part of the vocal cords and therefore a healing process is necessary in the postoperative period. This process takes an average of 1 year.
In the “Tensioning Glottoplasty” technique which is developed and used by Prof. Dr. A. Hakan BİRKENT, it is possible to shorten and increase the tension on the vocal cords at the same time which helps to get a higher pitched voice. Another important advantage of this technique is that no sutures are placed on the vocal cords, meaning the recovery time is faster, and the possible complications that may arise due to the sutures are minimized.
Tensioning Glottoplasty is a combined approach that is performed through the mouth and with a small incision on the neck together. The incision on the neck also gives an opportunity to perform tracheal shaving if needed, which is the removal of the protrusion of thyroid cartilage on the neck, commonly known as Adam’s apple.
Developed and successfully applied by Prof. Dr. A. Hakan BİRKENT, Voice Feminization with Tensioning Glottoplasty can also be used as a revision treatment method for patients who have undergone Voice Feminization Surgery before but have not achieved the desired result.
Apart from these 2 techniques, there are several other surgical techniques used for voice feminization like reducing the mass of the vocal cords with use of laser, and laryngoplasties.
Regardless of whether it is Voice Feminization or Voice Deepening, Voice Therapy support after surgery makes a very effective and valuable contribution to ensure that the healing process is healthy, that the voice is established in the desired structure and that the result obtained becomes permanent.
After Voice Feminization Surgery
After the Voice Feminization Surgery, the patient is asked not to speak and to rest voice unless necessary in an average of 7 to 10 days. In addition, the person should stay away from activities that are seen as physically heavy. This resting process increases the speed of recovery in patients.
In the 2-month period after the Voice Feminization operation, the person should try to rest his voice and vocal cords by talking at the minimum level as much as he can, and should not disrupt his controls by paying attention to the issues specified by the doctor.
With the passage of 6 to 12 months after the Voice Feminization surgery, individuals can achieve a subtle, beautiful and attractive tone of voice that they desire and that is compatible with their personality. Until this period is completed, it should be considered as a normal situation that the voice does not fit completely and does not reach the imagined delicacy, and the completion of the process should be waited patiently.
Another important point in the postoperative period is to pay attention to vocal hygiene. In this context, it is extremely important not to smoke and to reduce alcohol intake. Not shouting, not talking loudly for a long time, trying not to speak in noisy environments, not doing the squeaking movement from the throat are examples that can be counted in this context.
Diet is also very important in the postoperative period. In addition to adequate water intake, avoiding foods that may cause reflux is very important for a healthy recovery process in the postoperative period.
The Role of Voice Therapy After Voice Feminization
As in other applications where the vocal cords are intervened in order to regulate the tones of people’s voices, taking Voice Feminization Therapy before and after the Voice Feminization Surgery provides many benefits to the person.
In order to speak in a feminine structure and style, it is not enough just to raise the fundamental frequency of the voice. Although it is valuable for the individual’s voice to be feminine and attractive, it will be correct to regulate the speech structure and style in this process by voice feminization therapy.
During the Voice Feminization treatment process, the patient’s support from a speech and language therapist will positively affect the healing process and contribute to the person in terms of learning feminine speech features.
Voice Feminization Surgery Prices
It should be known that it is not correct and possible to specify a price without examining the person. As a result of the examination to be performed by our specialist doctor, the treatment process and fee can be clearly indicated to the patient.
There are many factors that lead to a difference in the price of Voice Feminization. Some of these situations are;
- General health and age of the patient,
- The situation that causes the person to have a Voice Feminization operation,
- The condition of the patient’s vocal cords,
- Voice Feminization Surgery technique to be applied to the person,
- The rate of feminization required by the patient,
- The experience of the doctor who will perform the treatment and the success rate of the application,
- Whether it is the first surgery or revision,
Frequently Asked Questions About Voice Feminization
How is Voice Feminization Surgery performed?
Under general anesthesia it takes about 1 hour. It is made through a small incision on the neck and/or through the mouth.
Is it necessary to rest the voice after Voice Feminization Surgery?
It is recommended to rest the voice for about 1 week after the surgery.
Will my voice thin out immediately?
Although there is a significant feminization in the voice within a few months, it takes an average of 1 year for the voice to take its final form.
Can I smoke after Voice Feminization Surgery?
Smoking is strictly forbidden after surgery as it will lead to edema in the vocal cords.
Do you recommend voice therapy after Voice Feminization Surgery?
We highly recommend it. Postoperative voice therapy is extremely useful both in terms of making the healing process healthier and learning the feminine speech features.
Can you also remove the Adam’s apple during Voice Feminization Surgery?
Yes, we can.
Can I achieve significant feminization in my voice by using only the hormone estrogen?
No.
Can I have another surgery after voice feminization?
Except for emergency situations, you should not have another surgery that requires intubation for at least 3 months after voice feminization surgery.
Can my voice be similar to the voice of someone else I like?
Your voice gets thinner, but it’s not possible for it to be the same or identical to someone else’s voice.
When does the surgical scar on my neck disappear?
Although it varies from patient to patient, it usually becomes uncertain within months.
If you think that your voice tone is deep or if you just want a more feminine voice, you can make an appointment by contacting us immediately, and after the Voice Feminization Surgery to be performed by Prof. Dr. A. Hakan BİRKENT, you can have a more feminine, attractive and compatible voice tone that you dream of with a safe, comfortable and fast treatment process.
