Voice changes post thyroid surgery

[Icroak]

Ten weeks after surgery my voice is raspy. I sing in stereo now, like there are two voices going. The surgeon said that the vocal chords looked good and that I should recover. My question for anyone is how long can it take?  When do I know when I need more help, if I do. Is this ever permanent? I would love input. Thanks.

[deedee27_2]

Now , I'm very worried about surgery because I too sing semi-professionnally and was told that there is only a 1-5% risk of vocal changes. I know of people who've had the surgery and came out of it perfectly fine and sing in choirs as they did post-op.However, you all seem to have serious issues with your singing voices. Is the scaring or dammage due to the breathing tube? Or is it due to the surgery itself?

a worried soon to be operated person...surgery date is Dec. 7th 09

[shamartin]

I had my left thyroid removed on July 24, 2009. I thank God it was not cancer it was just enlarged, about the size of a golf ball. From the first day I have not gotten my voice back. Right now it still sounds like a whisper. I'm a phone customer service rep. Is something wrong will I ever get my voice back?

[Jesusfreak09]

I had a total Thyroidectomy may 26th it's been 6 weeks and I am still whispering. Did you ever get your voice back and if so what did you have to do?

[musikal]

I just had surgery in Feb. 2008...a total thyroidectomy and the right parathyroid was also removed.  I am a professional singer and I also teach middle school chorus full time.....anyone who has ANY doubts about their doctor should definitely seek a second opinion!!!  My thyroid cancer was the cause of my larnygitis that went incorrectly diagnosed for 6 months.  The second ENT finally diagnosed it.  I will be having raidone treatment and external beam radiation due to the type of cancer I have. I also have to have a second surgery just on my vocal folds.  I feel blessed that I can breathe and swallow fine so far... but I understand that external beam radiation can cause swelling and scaring.
Can anyone who has also had the same treatments and also sing let me know what I might expect?

[juju585811]

I had surgery in March 2007.  My voice sounds like I am from an island.  I have problems with saying some words, breathing while talking and my doctor says my left vocal cord is damaged.  I just starting going to speech and she is the best.  I don't know if any more damage is done because the doctor i have is not very honest.  I am going to see another doctor hopefully soon and hope to get some answers.  I never thought this would happen to me but it did.

[StillSmallVoices]

I had a hemithyroidectomy (at least I think that's what you call it), I know how you all feel.  I'm 7 months post op and can't extent my voice or sing.  It's frustrating having to explain to every new person that you meet why they can barely hear you.  I have been trying to stay positive about the whole thing.  Funny thing is, I work as a receptionist so I'm constantly being asked about my voice and sometimes even made fun of but I don't really take it to heart.  It is what it is.  My doctors are taking me to a speech therapist.  I've become used to my voice so I can't really tell if it's improving or not.  My friends sometimes say it is but I feel like maybe they just say it to make me feel better.  It's good to know I'm not the only one struggling with this issue.

[Angelbaby63]

I had a total thyroidectomy in Sept of 06. The Dr had to remove one of my parathyroid glands also as it was embedded in the surrounding thyroid tissue.
It is now July of 07 and my voice has not come back.
I have had my vocal cords tested and the Dr. permanently damaged them during surgery. I have been to an ENT and a speech pathologist. The ENT recommends another procedure to try and regain some voice levels above a whisper. I am a bit unsure about that. Everyone I meet for the first time asks me if I have a cold or laryngitis, in large groups or noisy places I cannot be heard. I can no longer sing or talk to my girlfriends on the phone.  
This surgery has very much changed my life. I went from being outgoing to just staying home a lot more now. I am short of breath when I talk or exercise. I used to be very active. I am in good physical condition. I used to be a preschool teacher....I am really wanting to talk to others that have been through this. I have another appt with the ENT this week.