Voice Masculinization Surgery /Voice Deepening Surgery Bogota, Colombia
The Centro ELEVA, headed by the esteemed Dr. Juan Carlos Avellaneda Hernandez, is one of the leading pioneers and the earliest adopters of FTM voice masculinization surgery in Bogota, Colombia.
We understand that your voice is one of the most defining parts of your personality. It is no surprise, then, that most individuals want their voice to be consistent with their gender identity. Voice masculinization surgery will help you lower the pitch of the voice, achieving a more masculine sound. We recommend this surgery for those men or women feeling their voice is very high pitched and does not match or project their personal or professional attributes. Also, this surgery is for patients in the process of transitioning their gender from female to male. Anyone who wishes to achieve a more masculine or deep sound is recommended to explore this procedure.
What to Expect from the Process?
Who is Voice Masculinization Surgery Recommended For?
This voice deepening surgery is recommended for those individuals who wish to have a deeper voice regardless of their gender identity. It has grown increasingly popular among transgender individuals who want to deepen their voice, so it is a more authentic perfection of their identity. At the same time, cisgender individuals, particularly those suffering from pathological conditions such as hermaphroditism, puberphonia or mutuational dysphonia can benefit from this procedure.
Centro ELEVA, headed by Dr. Juan Carlos, is the best choice for anyone seeking FTM therapies. Dr. Juan is the leading otolaryngologist who specializes in administering voice changing surgeries for cisgender or transgender individuals. We also have the necessary medical infrastructure to support your voice masculinization journey.
Benefits of Voice Masculinization
Voice masculinization FTM therapies are designed to empower individuals to actively shape their vocal identity. When you choose us for your procedure, you will receive several benefits!
- Boosts self-esteem and allows you to grow more confident than ever
- Voice masculinization surgery allows you to maintain vocal health
- Improves your social life and relationships
- Reduces tension and stress in the muscles when you speak
- Live life to the fullest with a voice that is congruent with your gender identity
- Be more fluid in the way you communicate
- Helps eliminate the sensation of gender dysmorphia.
Prioritize your health and wellness above all. Join us at the Centro ELEVA to achieve the voice of your dreams.
Approaches to Surgery
Selecting the most suitable surgical technique involves a comprehensive evaluation of each patient’s unique needs, preferences, characteristics, alongside Dr. Avellaneda’s expert recommendation.
Type III Thyroplasty
Type III Thyroplasty, or vocal cord relaxation surgery, is a procedure in which the length of the vocal folds is shortened. This lowers the tension in the vocal cords, reducing the pitch of the voice. For this procedure, a combination of sedation and local anesthesia are used. This anesthetic technique allows the patient to be anesthetized deep enough to feel no pain and have no memories of the surgery, but awake enough to be able to speak and give us feedback about the voice changes during the surgery. A small incision is made in the neck to separate the muscles and expose the thyroid cartilage. The cartilage is shortened as needed while the surgeon and patient are tasting the voice and finding the voice pitch that fits better the patient. Then, sutures are placed to secure the cartilage in the desired position, and the muscles and skin are sutured. .
- Duration: 90 – 120 minutes.
- Anesthesia: Sedation and local anesthesia
- Voice results: Immediate
- Recovery Time:
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- No voice rest is required after the surgery
- Patient will be able to eat and drink normally the same day of the surgery
- Avoid contact or manipulation of the neck 3 weeks after surgery
Relaxation Thyroplasty/Modified Type III Thyroplasty
Relaxation thyroplasty is a modified version of the type III thyroplasty. This form of thyroplasty focuses on relaxing the vocal cords instead of shortening them. Cartilage is not removed; instead, the inner laryngeal structures are surgically adjusted so they might deliver a deeper sound. For this procedure, a combination of sedation and local anesthesia are used. This anesthetic technique allows the patient to be anesthetized deep enough to feel no pain and have no memories of the surgery, but awake enough to be able to speak and give us feedback about the voice changes during the surgery. A small incision is made in the neck to separate the muscles and expose the thyroid cartilage. The cartilage is shortened as needed while the surgeon and patient are tasting the voice and finding the voice pitch that fits better the patient. Then, sutures are placed to secure the cartilage in the desired position, and the muscles and skin are sutured.
- Duration: 90 – 120 minutes.
- Anesthesia: Sedation and local anesthesia
- Voice results: Immediate
- Recovery Time:
- No voice rest is required after the surgery
- Patient will be able to eat and drink normally the same day of the surgery
- Avoid contact or manipulation of the neck 3 weeks after surgery
Postoperative Care with Voice Masculinization Surgery
To get the most out of your voice masculinization surgery, you need special patience and care during recovery. Here are the recovery guidelines you should adhere to:
- Have acocording to you tolerance for the first 7 days after the vocal cord operation. Avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, and junk food.
- Be adequately hydrated with room temperature fluids.
- Ensure that you maintain the use of your prescribed medication
- Avoid the use of aspirin, which can exacerbate symptoms or lead to bleeding
- It is natural to see swelling in the first few months. You can apply a cold compress to reduce inflammation.
- Maintain voice therapy as indicated by our SLP to adapt to your new voice without straining yourself.
The Experts in Voice Masculinization
Dr. Juan Carlos, an ENT surgeon and laryngologist, leads the team at Centro ELEVA. At our center of excellence, we provide a wide range of services to promote a better quality of life and allow individuals to embrace their true selves. Our specialty lies in voice masculinization and voice feminization surgeries, which allow individuals to align their voices with their authentic selves.
We offer our services to all individuals irrespective of their gender, from in and around Colombia. Like them, you can be the next one to transform your life!
At Centro Eleva in Bogotá, we offer specialized procedures to help you achieve your voice and aesthetic goals. Our services include Adam’s Apple Reduction, Vocal Cord Paralysis treatment, Vocal Cord Surgery, and Voice Feminization Surgery. Each procedure is performed by experienced specialists committed to your safety, comfort, and long-term satisfaction.
Experience
Professionalism
Human quality
Check Out Our Success Stories
Read more about Centro ELEVA’s experiences and testimonials. Over the past 30 years, we have had the honor of receiving patients from all over the globe, including Spain, Mexico, the USA, Panama, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, among others.
FAQs
We know how important it is to feel fully aligned with your identity—including how you sound. Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions about our voice masculinization surgery, from recovery to results. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to our team.
1. Is this surgery done with general anesthesia, local anesthesia, or sedation?
This surgery is performed with sedation and local anesthesia. This means that an
anesthesiologist will sedate the patient so they feel no pain and remember nothing but will
keep the patient awake enough to breathe normally and talk to us during the procedure. It is crucial that the patient can speak during the surgery, as this will allow us to define how
deep or thick we leave the patient’s voice while operating.
2. Does the surgery leave scars?
This surgery requires a small 3 cm incision in the front part of the neck, near the Adam’s apple. The incision is made in a different area for each patient to make it as inconspicuous as possible. In some, it is made in the natural folds of the neck and in others, just before the insertion line of the beard, making it imperceptible after 2 months of surgery.
3. Do I have to stop talking after surgery?
No, the patient does not need to rest their voice. The patient can continue talking normally after surgery. It is normal for the voice to be a little weak and hoarse for the first two weeks after surgery, but this will improve progressively.
4. When do you feel the changes in the voice tone?
The changes with this surgery are immediate. That is, while we are operating on the patient, they will notice the change in voice tone. In fact, during the surgery, we start asking the patient what voice tone they like best, and we adjust the results until we reach the tone desired by the patient.
5. Can I eat normally after surgery?
Yes, after surgery you can have a normal diet and eat what you usually eat. You will have a slight discomfort and pain when eating, but nothing significant.
6. Is voice therapy important after surgery?
Voice therapy is essential to achieve better results in voice quality and tone. Clinical studies show that patients who complete their post-surgical voice therapy process are happier with the surgery results and achieve deeper and more profound tones.
7. When can I exercise again?
Light physical activity can be resumed two weeks after surgery. To be able to perform intense physical activity, we must wait 3-4 weeks according to each case.
8. Will it take time to adapt to the new voice?
Yes, especially during the first 2-3 weeks the voice may be hoarse and with less projection, but with a tone that is notably deeper. Constant work on voice therapy exercises is necessary, as this will allow the voice to stabilize faster.
9. How can I objectively measure the changes in my voice?
All patients undergo a complete evaluation of their voice’s acoustic features, with objective measures BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY. This allows the patient to see the numerical and objective changes in their voice during this process.
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