The Leaders in Voice Feminization Bogota, Colombia
Your voice is the most authentic part of yourself. However, if you feel that your voice does not accurately reflect who you identify as, we recommend our voice feminization surgery services. Voice-affirming therapies at Centro ELEVA are designed to help you find your true voice and feel more confident when communicating.
These therapies target the vocal cords, modifying their length and the muscle mass to alter the voice pitch, resonance, and intonation to achieve a more feminine sound. We recommend this procedure not only for those who are transgender but also for cisgender women who want to achieve a more feminine voice.
What to Expect from the Process?
What is Voice Feminization?
Voice feminization is a surgical procedure that feminizes the voice by shortening and thinning the vocal cords. We offer various methods of voice feminization, both invasive and minimally invasive, so you can find the best fit for you. Ultimately, we wish to deliver a voice that aligns with your gender identity.
Combine your voice feminization surgery with an Adam’s apple reduction procedure to achieve a more feminine and graceful silhouette!
Who Should Opt for Voice Feminization Surgery?
- This procedure is most popular amongst transgender women who are in the process of their gender transition.
- Cisgender women who want a more feminine voice.
- Intersex individuals, born with both female and male sex characteristics, who wish to have a more feminine voice.
- Patients with ovarian androgen-secreting tumors, which cause a deepening of the voice in females
How to Achieve a More Feminine Voice?
Dr. Juan Carlos Avellaneda, an ENT specialist and expert in Laryngology, is renowned for his surgical expertise and techniques to feminize the voice with outstanding results. At Centro ELEVA, the most commonly used procedures for voice feminization include:
Wendler´s Glottoplasty
Wendler´s Glottoplasty is the most popular choice in voice feminization. It shortens the lenght of the vocal cords to increase the tension they generate and, in turn, produce a higher pitch. Glottoplasty is an invasive surgery performed through the mouth, so it leaves no visible scarring. The results of this procedure are permanent. The procedure can be performed with cold instruments or microscopically assisted with laser. In fact, doing the Wendler´s glotoplasty with laser provides more accurate and detailed cuts of the vocal folds during the first part of the surgery.
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Anesthesia: General.
- Recovery Time:
- This is ambulatory surgery. This means the patient can go home the same day of the surgery. Some patients prefer to stay in the clinic for one night after the surgery, and we are happy to arrange this for them.
- Patients will be able to eat and drink normally the same day of the surgery.
- Complete voice rest for 2 weeks after the surgery.
- Limited talking after the second week of surgery and progressive voice reintroduction guided by our speech and language therapist.
- Exercise can be resumed 2 weeks after surgery
Laser Assisted Voice Adjustment (LAVA)
LAVA is a more minimally invasive procedure which will modify the vocal cords mass or volume using the power of laser technology. This procedure, which includes vaporizing specific areas of the vocal folds while using a CO2 laser attached to a microscope, is more accurate and makes precise adjustments to the pitch/tone as needed. The laser employed does not harm the nearby tissues, only working on the targeted sections.
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Anesthesia: General.
- Recovery Time:
- This is ambulatory surgery. This means the patient can go home the same day of the surgery. Some patients prefer to stay in the clinic for one night after the surgery, and we are happy to arrange this for the patient.
- Patients will be able to eat and drink normally the same day of the surgery
- Complete voice rest for 2 weeks after the surgery
- Limited talking after the second week of surgery and progressive voice reintroduction guided by our speech and language therapist.
- Exercise can be resumed 2 weeks after surgery
Adam's Apple Reduction Surgery
Adam’s Apple Reduction Surgery, or ‘tracheal shave,’ reduces the size of the Adam’s apple to give the individual a smoother, more feminine neck contour. The surgery is performed via a small incision made under the chin, so it leaves minimal, imperceptible scarring. From here, the thyroid cartilage is slowly modified to the desired shape and size. We recommend this procedure alongside MTF voice feminization!
Wendler Glottoplasty: What You Need to Know
Wendler Glottoplasty is one of the most effective surgical techniques for voice feminization. At Centro ELEVA, this procedure is performed by Dr. Juan Carlos Avellaneda, a leading expert in laryngology, to help patients achieve a higher-pitched, more feminine voice with long-lasting results. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions about this transformative surgery.
1. Is the Wendler glottoplasty the best surgery for voice feminization?
Wendler glottoplasty is the most frequently performed surgery in the world for voice feminization processes, but it is not the only one. Current studies show that combining this surgery with LAVA surgery or with the reduction of mass of the vocal cords allows for higher voice tones and greater patient satisfaction, in contrast to Wendler glottoplasty alone. However, Wendler glottoplasty as the sole surgical procedure shows excellent results in the quality of patients’ voices.
2. Does the surgery leave scars?
No, this surgery is performed through the patient’s mouth, so it does not leave any visible scars.
3. Can Wendler glottoplasty be performed at the same time as other voice feminization surgeries like LAVA or vocal cord muscle reduction (VFMR)?
Yes, it is possible, and in fact, it is recommended. Recent studies show that patients who underwent simultaneous Wendler glottoplasty + LAVA or Wendler glottoplasty + vocal cord muscle reduction (VFMR) achieve more feminine, higher voice tones and greater satisfaction with the final voice result.
4. Can Wendler glottoplasty be done at the same time as surgery to remove the Adam's apple/neck feminization/tracheal shave?
Yes, these surgeries can be performed at the same time. However, it is important to note that Adam’s apple/tracheal shave surgery is done through a small incision in the neck, while Wendler glottoplasty is done through the mouth.
5. What are the main risks of surgery?
The risks that can arise are rare and infrequent. Some of these could be: injury to a tooth, tingling sensation in the tongue a couple of days after surgery, metallic taste in the mouth that lasts 5 days, rupture of sutures (extremely infrequent), temporary or permanent dysphonia, dissatisfaction with the achieved tone of voice.
6. Is the surgery performed under general anesthesia, local anesthesia, or sedation?
This surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This means that the patient will be completely asleep during the surgery, will not feel pain, and will not remember anything.
7. Do I have to stop talking after surgery?
Yes, it is necessary for the patient to have ABSOLUTE voice rest after surgery. Rest can range from 7 to 14 days depending on each patient. This rest is to ensure that the sutures holding the vocal cords together do not get damaged or loosened.
8. Can I eat normally after surgery?
Yes, after surgery you can have a normal diet, you can eat the same things you normally eat. You will have some discomfort and pain while eating, but nothing significant.
9. How soon after surgery will voice changes be noticeable?
As soon as you start speaking, you will notice a much higher tone in your voice. However, it is important to mention that between the first and third month after surgery, the quality of the voice will progressively improve, and the “roughness” or “hoarseness” that may occur in the first weeks after surgery will decrease.
10. Is voice therapy important after surgery?
Voice therapy is essential to achieve better results in the quality and tone of the voice. Clinical studies show that patients who complete their post-surgical voice therapy process feel more satisfied with the surgery outcome and achieve higher voice tones.
11. If after surgery, I want a higher voice tone, is there another procedure that can be done?
Yes, there is. This procedure is known as vocal cord muscle mass reduction, aiming to reduce the volume of the cord using a CO2 laser to achieve greater tension and vibration of the vocal cords, resulting in a higher voice tone. Recent studies show that it is a great alternative to increase the voice tone after Wendler glottoplasty.
12. Can Wendler glottoplasty be done with a laser?
Wendler glottoplasty consists of resecting the most superficial layer of the vocal cords (epithelium) and subsequently suturing one vocal cord against the other to shorten its length. The epithelium resection can be done with cold instruments like scissors and scalpels but can also be done with high-precision equipment like lasers. Typically, we perform this procedure with a laser when we are going to use the same laser for another voice feminization surgery like LAVA.
13. When can I start exercising again?
Physical activity can be resumed two weeks after surgery, as it is necessary to wait for the scar between the vocal cords to fully form and mature.
14. What should I avoid doing after surgery?
You should avoid anything that involves voice production: No coughing, no throat clearing, no talking, no singing, no whispering. The day before surgery, we will teach patients how to communicate in a way that does not affect the quality of the sutures we have done. This will be maintained for the duration of the absolute vocal rest, between 5 and 10 days.
15. How can I objectively measure (with numbers) the changes in my voice?
We conduct a complete evaluation of the acoustic characteristics of all patients’ voices, with objective measurements BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY. This allows the patient to see the numerical and objective changes that their voice has undergone during this process.
16. If after Wendler glottoplasty with or without LAVA I want an even higher voice tone, is there something that can be done?
Yes, for patients who want an even higher voice tone despite having a good subjective and objective result with previous surgeries, a vocal cord muscle reduction (VFMR) can be performed. This surgical procedure aims to decrease the mass of the vocal cord with the help of a laser to achieve faster vibration of the vocal cords, resulting in a much higher voice tone.
LAVA Surgery: What You Should Know
Laser-Assisted Voice Adjustment (LAVA) is a minimally invasive technique designed to subtly elevate vocal pitch and support voice feminization goals. At Centro ELEVA, this advanced procedure is performed by Dr. Juan Carlos Avellaneda using state-of-the-art laser technology. In this section, we address the most common questions about LAVA and what to expect from the process.
1. Is LAVA the best surgery for voice feminization?
LAVA stands for Laser Assisted Voice Adjustment. Most surgeons performing voice surgeries on transgender patients worldwide use LAVA together with Wendler glottoplasty for feminization surgeries.
The results of LAVA as a SINGLE surgical intervention for voice feminization are not very good, as the voice does not reach a sufficiently high tone that meets the patients’ expectations. Therefore, it is almost always performed in conjunction with Wendler glottoplasty.
2. Which laser is used for LAVA?
For these patients, either a CO2 laser or a blue laser can be used. We have extensive experience with both. Preferably, we use the CO2 laser as we can couple it to a microscope and, with the help of a micromanipulator, make very precise cuts in less time, leading to better postoperative results.
3. Does the surgery leave scars?
No, this surgery is performed through the patient’s mouth, so it does not leave any visible scars.
4. Can Wendler glottoplasty be performed at the same time as other voice feminization surgeries like LAVA or vocal cord muscle reduction (VFMR)?
Yes, it is possible, and in fact, it is recommended. Recent studies show that patients who underwent simultaneous Wendler glottoplasty + LAVA or Wendler glottoplasty + vocal cord muscle reduction (VFMR) achieve more feminine, higher voice tones and greater satisfaction with the final voice result.
5. Can LAVA voice adjustment be done at the same time as surgery to remove the Adam's apple/neck feminization/tracheal shave?
Yes, these surgeries can be performed at the same time. However, it is important to note that Adam’s apple/tracheal shave surgery is done through a small incision in the neck, while LAVA is done through the mouth.
6. What are the main risks of surgery?
The risks that can arise are rare and infrequent. Some of these could be: injury to a tooth, tingling sensation in the tongue a couple of days after surgery, metallic taste in the mouth that lasts 5 days, rupture of sutures (extremely infrequent), temporary or permanent dysphonia, dissatisfaction with the achieved tone of voice.
7. Is the surgery performed under general anesthesia, local anesthesia, or sedation?
This surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This means that the patient will be completely asleep during the surgery, will not feel pain, and will not remember anything.
8. Do I have to stop talking after surgery?
Yes, it is necessary for the patient to have ABSOLUTE voice rest after surgery. Rest can range from 7 to 14 days depending on each patient. This rest is to ensure that the sutures holding the vocal cords together do not get damaged or loosened.
9. Can I eat normally after surgery?
Yes, after surgery you can have a normal diet, you can eat the same things you normally eat. You will have some discomfort and pain while eating, but nothing significant.
10. How soon after surgery will voice changes be noticeable?
As soon as you start speaking, you will notice a much higher tone in your voice. However, it is important to mention that between the first and third month after surgery, the quality of the voice will progressively improve, and the “roughness” or “hoarseness” that may occur in the first weeks after surgery will decrease.
11. Is voice therapy important after surgery?
Voice therapy is essential to achieve better results in the quality and tone of the voice. Clinical studies show that patients who complete their post-surgical voice therapy process feel more satisfied with the surgery outcome and achieve higher voice tones.
12. Can Wendler glottoplasty be performed at the same time as other voice feminization surgeries like LAVA or vocal cord mass reduction?
Yes, it is possible to perform Wendler glottoplasty and vocal cord mass reduction in the same operation. In fact, recent studies show that patients who underwent Wendler glottoplasty + LAVA or Wendler glottoplasty + vocal cord mass reduction achieve more feminine, higher voice tones and greater satisfaction with the final voice result.
13. If after surgery, I want a higher voice tone, is there another procedure that can be done?
Yes, there is. This procedure is known as vocal cord muscle mass reduction, aiming to reduce the volume of the cord using a CO2 laser to achieve greater tension and vibration of the vocal cords, resulting in a higher voice tone. Recent studies show that it is a great alternative to increase the voice tone after Wendler glottoplasty.
14. When can I start exercising again?
Physical activity can be resumed two weeks after surgery, as it is necessary to wait for the scar between the vocal cords to fully form and mature.
15. What should I avoid doing after surgery?
You should avoid anything that involves voice production: No coughing, no throat clearing, no talking, no singing, no whispering. The day before surgery, we will teach patients how to communicate in a way that does not affect the quality of the sutures we have done. This will be maintained for the duration of the absolute vocal rest, between 5 and 10 days.
16. How can I objectively measure (with numbers) the changes in my voice?
We conduct a complete evaluation of the acoustic characteristics of all patients’ voices, with objective measurements BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY. This allows the patient to see the numerical and objective changes that their voice has undergone during this process.
17. If after Wendler glottoplasty with or without LAVA I want an even higher voice tone, is there something that can be done?
Yes, for patients who want an even higher voice tone despite having a good subjective and objective result with previous surgeries, a vocal cord muscle reduction (VFMR) can be performed. This surgical procedure aims to decrease the mass of the vocal cord with the help of a laser to achieve faster vibration of the vocal cords, resulting in a much higher voice tone.
Benefits of Voice Feminization Surgery
- Fem voice procedure helps you maintain a voice that aligns with your gender identity and personality.
- Maintain a pitch that remains consistent as you speak
- Reduces vocal tension, contributing to better quality of speech
- Delivers elevated confidence and increased vocal satisfaction
- Promotes self-esteem and enjoyment in life
- Imparts the comfort necessary to speak your mind
- Natural-sounding permanent results
- Avoids unintentionally deep voice sounds while laughing, yawing, snizzing or coughing
Recommendations for Voice Feminization Surgery
- Maintain good oral and vocal hygiene before the surgery
- Make sure you arrive at least 90 minutes before your procedure.
- Avoid the intake of food and liquid 8 hours before surgery
- Complete voice rest for 14 days after the procedure to allow the vocal cords to heal properly (not coughing, no talking, not exercise)
- Avoid fatty foods, fast food, and dairy products immediately after the surgery.
- Be aware that voice therapy after will be mandatory if you want to have the good and permant voice results after the procedure
- Discuss rehabilitation exercises with your surgeon to fully adapt to your revised and reshaped vocal cords.
- Make sure you are present at all follow-up appointments.
Testimonials Feminization Surgery
Why Choose Us for Your Fem Voice Procedure?
- Centro ELEVA and Clinica Avellaneda have been leaders in the field of laryngology for over thirty years.
- We perform procedures and surgeries following international standards and fullfilling all the requirements of different international associations.
- We have the necessary expertise needed to identify the best procedure for any patient.
- Each patient is delivered a fully personalized treatment plan so they can find the voice they deserve.
- We provide a safe environment where you are guided on every aspect of your voice Fem Colombia procedure. We want your input at every stage!
- Our facility is supported by the latest medical technology for the diagnosis and treatment of voice, throat, and airway pathologies and disorders.
- Our proven success stories stand as a testament to our unwavering determination and customer-centric approach!
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