Hello from new member

Comment by Marsha M. Marsha on July 31, 2011 at 9:48pm

Welcome Rachelle, LOL, my grilfriend and I get read more as lesbian lovers than transwomen when we are out, and I must say it is difficult being in love and not being able to express it publicly without fear of causing a commotion. Voice surgeries have about a 50% success rate, but if that is what you feel you must do that, and trust the surgeon, I suppose it may be worth it

Comment by Jamie Robin Gardner on August 1, 2011 at 5:48pm

Welcome to PE. I've been in transition for 18 months so I have along way to go. I always welcome the hows, why and ways to help us along the path to happiness.

Comment by Rachel King on August 2, 2011 at 2:18am

Hi Rachelle, I had voice surgery in Bangkok in 2009, with Dr Ornouma, who is a wonderful female surgeon.

I'm never quite sure how I sound, feminine enough to pass in public but my phone voice is a giveaway when I forget to lift it.

And that was the key to me.

I tried ever so hard to lift my vocals but it never seemed to work.

I knew the risks of surgery but I would rather have lost my voice than go through life sounding like a man.

Hence my decision and I have not one moment of regret.

Whatever I sound like to others, I sound ok to me, so I can have a normal conversation without ever having to think before speaking.

You know the risks, if it's for you, you go for it.

Pleased to have you, as a post-op, here to share your thoughts with others.

Comment by Rachelle Gauvin on August 4, 2011 at 5:51am

Hi Marsha,

In Canada you generally don't have to worry about causing a commotion if you are publicly expressing affection for your same sex partner. That being said the vocal surgery I am considering is with Dr. Morisson in Vancouver. He has done about 600 surgeries for male to female patients and he has a high rate of success. In essence he manually adjusts the vocal chords to acheive the desired results. A friend of mine in Vancouver has had the surgery with Dr. Morisson and she now sounds 100% female!

Comment by Angelique' (Angel) Suzette Gift on October 10, 2011 at 8:20pm

Hi Rachelle,

There are a number of really good CDs available that can help with your feminine mannerisms. (I think I've bought six of them).

As for my voice, I have tried voice-coaching with little success.  At B-All in Chicago this year I went to a seminar/session given by a Dr. James Thomas, who has developed a somewhat new way to operate on one's larynx to achieve a feminine voice. (look for his website - key word 'voice doctor')  His before/after vocal tracts were impressive.  He does cut the chords, though, shortens them, and sews them back.  If you have any trache, it is completely gone.  He hasn't done 600 surgerys, but he has done over 100.

I've gone beyond inquiring and have paid for much of the operation, which I am trying to have in June of next year.  We will see how it goes.

Have a simply wonderful week, Rachelle!

Sincerely,

Angelique'

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