Facing vocal cord surgery can bring many questions, and the right doctor to help will give you peace of mind. Dr. Gordon Siegel of Midwest ENT, located in Chicago, IL, is highly experienced in this type of surgery and can help answer all your questions regarding voice surgery and the recovery time needed to return to your usual self.
Explaining Voice Surgery
The vocal cords consist of folds of muscle encased in a thin mucous membrane that vibrates when you speak to form words. Vocal cord surgery may be required for several reasons. You may suffer from benign vocal nodes, vocal cysts, polyps, or cancer that require surgical repair. The type of surgery Dr. Siegel will choose depends on the underlying cause. Some options include:
- Microlaryngoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a laryngoscope to examine your throat. If needed, our doctor can remove the obstruction without too much trouble.
- Medialization laryngoplasty is a procedure to improve the structure of the throat. Implants can be placed to improve the vibration of the throat, increasing your speaking abilities.
- Reducing laryngoplasty provides an option to alter or reduce the amount of material in our vocal cords. This surgery produces a higher tone of voice.
Recovery Is Part Of The Process
When you undergo vocal cord surgery, the recovery period is just as important to the process. According to Dr. Siegel of Midwest ENT, located in Chicago, IL, the standard plan for recovery from voice surgery is as follows:
- Strict vocal rest—When you form words, your vocal cords come together and bang against each other, so resting them is vital to recovery. Whispering or mouthing words is also highly discouraged. The standard time for no speaking is between 7 and 10 days.
- Rest of the throat—You must not cough or clear your throat. As with speaking, our doctor will caution against coughing or throat clearing as it causes the same issue as above. Our doctor can prescribe a medicine-based cough drop for you.
- Vocal Therapy—It is highly recommended that you undergo vocal therapy before surgery, and continue it after, so that you can learn to speak without the continued vocal trauma that caused previous issues.
- Reflux Medicine—The use of reflux medication is highly recommended before and after surgery to prevent throat damage.
- Restricted Vocal Use—After vocal surgery, rest and resisting yelling and overusing your voice are essential. Less is best for the next six months to enhance your recovery.
Call Us Today for Voice Surgery
Call Dr. Siegel at 312-988-7777 at Midwest ENT in Chicago, IL, to schedule your next appointment. We will discuss the best option for your vocal issues and what to expect if surgery is the right choice.