Voice Post Surgery

Hi

My voice was affected by my first surgery but not the second. That was back in December and like you my voice has no strength and I can’t sing anymore - I’m a teacher so my voice is very important to my job but I’m on sick leave currently. I recently saw a speech therapist who was confident that she could return my voice and I’m starting therapy sessions at the end of August. My post surgery check up showed no damage to vocal chords and it was at this point I was referred to speech therapy. Hope this helps!

Hi. I am exactly 10 weeks after TT and my voice didn't get back to normal. In my teenage years I was a frontwoman of a rock band and although I don't do it anymore I am a keen singer still. Before diagnosis I had some troubles with my voice as well (like I was loosing it in the middle of the sentence,had loads of dry throat, cough that I couldn't associate with nothing) and all that was thyroid cancer growing and squeezing my throat. Anyway now I do not loose my voice anymore but it's nothing like it was before. Also it is changing daily and I do not have control over it anymore. I am ready to accept it as I didn't have a choice. Hope yours will go back to where it should be. Take care.

Thanks for sharing Marg06 ️ it’s interesting how your vocal chords showed no damage yet your voice was affected. My consultant said the same to me. Hope it recovers for you soon! 

Thanks Isabel ️ Sounds as though the surgery has made your voice better thank goodness, albeit not back to its precancer strength. Did your consultant perform the vocal chord check and confirm the chords were damaged during the surgery? 

I've had my vocal cords checked multiple times and in doctors eyes all is fine as I can speak. 

I was left with issues with one of the vocal cords after my neck dissection and it was very problematic and my voice was weak and it was exhausting trying to talk. I went for speech therapy about 6 months after my op and it took time but it really helped me improve my voice. Have a look online for exercises to strengthen voice. I had to use a straw and a glass and blow into the glass to make the water bubble while humming. Sounds odd, but it really worked

That sounds like SOVT exercises (semi-occluded vocal tract) I do these as a singer and did wonder if any speech therapy after might use these techniques to avoid stress on the vocal cords. Basically anything that means the mouth/opening is as small as possible, so humming, lip rolls (making a brr noise like a phone) and particularly humming through a straw. I'm a musician and singing (soprano) is my passion, my work and has done wonders for keeping my mental health in check.....I have my surgery next week (TT and left neck dissection) and this is the thing above all which is upsetting/concerning me. I have so many different gigs lined up and it saddens me to think of missing any or my voice being less than it was. Fingers crossed I guess. I have heard about the possibility of a weaker voice and lower/less range, certainly to begin with, even if all goes well, Blue Skies. A surgeon recommended 6-12 months for full recovery for my singing voice. I hope to improve on those stats. I'm also thinking of checking out BAPAM to see if I can find a specialist practitioner to help if needed. Also check out Musicians Union, Help for Musicians and Royal Society of Musicians for further advice and support. Wishing you the best of luck in your search and recovery! xo

I also have issues @Berlinbaby and waiting for an operation on my vocal cords.  I had thought that I only needed voice therapy but did know one side was paralysed before my operation, voice was fine then though just couldn't always clear my throat (prior to my op).  Since my op my voice is weak, causes choking problems if I am not very careful, I don't even have to be eating or drinking, just swallow the wrong way, then I can't get my breath.  It has happened 3 times now and it is scary.  I was practising the straw and blowing bubbles prior to finding out I needed an operation so was quite disappointed when I was told I needed an op.  My vocal cords do not meet so air is getting  through and the danger is that you can get food into your lungs apparently, so the op is to try and stop that happening.

Best wishes for your operation @Mimi79 I hope all goes well for you, and not everyone has vocal cord issues so hopefully you won't either x

Am 3 weeks post op total thyroidectomy. PTC T1b so have been lucky. Vocal cords appear fine, but voice tires easily - and I cannot sing at all. My projection and upper range has totally gone. Mostly my voice is normal but occasionally it is like a boy whose voice is breaking and the control goes all weird.  As an almost 50 yo woman this is a strange sensation. 
I am just grateful I still mainly have my voice. 

hope that helps?

F