Wednesday, June 30, 2010

30 June 2010 - Neck recovery




1 week later, and I had my bandage removed when i go down to see my dr for the healing process. I dun need to remove any suture, coz it's been this since i went back home the same day.
I think my
scars are ugly :( ...












I hop
e it heals well and i hope the red will fade off fast!! i think i need to turn to my dermatix, for fading scars, soften and flats scars.













My doctor never says anything, He just advice on avoiding strenuous exercise that's all. However, i read from the internet about this article and it shares some useful tips for recovery.

http://www.voicedoctor.net/surgery/medial.html
  • First 3 days
    • Feel free to drink plenty of fluids to keep secretions thin. There are no restrictions on soft or normal talking. You should not yell or scream and should try to avoid coughing or straining very hard. If you are constipated, take a stool softener. Do not lift more than ten pounds. Theoretically, the implant could move some with enough force, until it is scarred in over several weeks. On the afternoon of the surgery, you voice will be pretty good, almost certainly better than before surgery. Then, swelling sets in since your vocal folds are bruised and your voice will sound deep, rough and laryngitis-like. It will require some extra effort to talk. Frequently steroids are given in surgery, such as Decadron that slow the amount of swelling. You may go home with additional steroids such as Prednisone or a Medrol Dose-pak.
  • The next day
    • If you are from out of town, I will ask you to stay overnight in town. If there are concerns, I will see you back in the office the next day. We can have a look at your vocal folds to assess how much swelling there is. They will usually look puffy and bruised and you will often say your voice was better after surgery than it is now.
  • 1 week
    • There is a suture in your neck that you may remove by cutting one end off and pulling on the other. If you are uncomfortable removing it, you may make an appointment.
  • After 2 - 6 weeks
    • Return for a follow up visit to see if you are healed. Swelling should be completely gone at this point. Feel free to use your voice as much as you want. In many instances, I will prescribe a voice building regimen to strengthen the remaining voice muscles.
  • Six months
    • Mid term evaluation
  • One year
    • Long term evaluation of your surgery.

22 June 2010 - Medialization Thyroplasty

Becoz i had vocal chord paralysis, I Decided to undergo the silicon implant for my hoarse voice which is persistent for the 2 years...(boo hoo hoo). Medical operation fees is $1188 + $248 + $169 (cash upfront).

For Money wise , financially still manageable, coz I can use my medisave $ to deduct so i did it without hesitation although i am not working ....the operation was successful, i went in for day surgery on 22 June @ 12.30pm and go back on the day @ 6pm. I went into surgery @2.15pm come out at 3.30pm.

This operation is known as medialization thyroplasty, I need to be awake in the opt as the dr need to fine tune the best voice for you.
Then
inside i was covered with a cloth i can see but was given local anesthetic at the neck area. I was given a cut at around 6cm long, i can hear the operation equipments working on my neck. The burning smell.. (yucks.. like BBQ)..You can watch te video from You tube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vOxkEo1vrg.


Whoa i can say it's really pain!!!! Level of pain is 8... ('0') ouch!!!! pain sia... i feel like there is a pinch on your skin. keep pinching and pinching and the pain can go all the way to your head. As soon as i went back home i had fish porridge(very hard to swallow, pain!!) & took paracetamol.

Vocal Chord Paralysis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Z8B-_RQvU
-breathy voice
-hoarse voice
-cannot project ur voice loud
-soft voice
-giddy
-hard to talk at food courts, crowded places
-Feels inferior, can't talk well.

Pics of my bandage...
3M tegaderm+pad.