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Gender Affirming Vocal Surgery

Gender-Affirming Voice Surgery

Not only the natural pitch but also patterns of intonation and certain communication mannerisms play an important role for transgender patients. Voice is a gender cue, however, it may be perceived differently from the identified gender.

Dr. Weidenbecher understands the challenges of voice transition and dedicates a significant portion of his work to supporting transgender patients who are looking for gender-affirming voice surgery. This includes both male-to-female (MTF) and female-to-male (FTM) transgender individuals.

Treatment

Speech therapy please an essential part for most patients to achieve their goals. Surgery is usually only needed to further enhance the outcome of speech therapy which may include vocal endurance or less “sleeping” back into a male voice.

Speech therapy: Voice therapy or voice training refers to any non-surgical technique used to improve or modify the human voice. Our experienced speech therapists work with patients not only on adjusting their pitch to a more comfortable range, but also changing intonation and mannerisms while speaking. Since voice is a gender cue, trans people may frequently undertake voice therapy as a part of gender transition to make their voices sound more like what is typical of their gender.

Surgery: Vocal folds can be surgically altered to change vocal pitch in many ways. This can include reducing tension and lowering pitch (type 3 thyroplasty for FTM), shortening the vocal folds by suturing the front of the vocal folds together and increasing the pitch (Glottoplasty for MTF) or decreasing the whole mass of the folds.

Dr. Weidenbecher offers a variety of procedures to not only aid the desired voice outcome, but he also offers a Laryngeal Shave Surgery which helps to improve the external physical appearance of individuals transitioning from male-to-female.

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Before Voice Feminization Surgery

After Voice Feminization Surgery

A glottoplasty raises the pitch for male-to-female transgender individuals. By suturing the front of the vocal cords together and making them as short as a female vocal cord (usually 10mm long) they can vibrate faster. It is important to not make them too short as this will reduce vocal range.

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY

Such a good Dr. He finds the problem and gives details on correcting the problem and suggests the routine to get rid of the problem. He will not recommend a surgeon if you don’t need it.

Call the best. He tweaked my vocal cords and my voice is now exactly where I want it.

Dr. Mark is the best.

He has taken the time to diagnose and understand my husband's health problem. We are grateful for his help.

He is very compassionate, caring, and thorough.

Very knowledgeable, very professional, and always asked if I had any questions. Willing to go the extra mile. I have been seeing him for 7 years and I would recommend him to anyone who needed an ENT.

Excellent Doctor

My doctor is very compassionate to all his patients. I witness this every time I come. I hear how he talks to his staff and interns. A Great mentor. I look for these things in knowing whose hands my care is in. Dr. Mark Shows empathy and he LISTENS, whereas some don't take the time to understand let alone touch the abnormal lumps and nodules, they rush you out to get a pay check. I look for these things. Dr. Mark is excellent in his profession and very knowledgeable in his practice. I trust his medical decisions, and plan of care for treatments. Thank you Dr. Mark Weidenbecher

Very caring Provider. He is the best sleep surgeon in Ohio.

I have had a good experience with Dr. Weidenbecher since he previously did surgery on me. He is very knowledgeable and I would recommend him.

Very knowledgeable Dr. Great with patients and knows his field well

Very nice experience. He answered questions and explained things. Set up a plan of care to address health issues and worked out perfect.

Dr. Weidenbecher was very professional. He explained everything thoroughly. I did not feel rushed with my appointment. I would recommend him to my family and friends.

Very helpful and easy to work with

He takes great care and concern for his patients. Very professional and has a great personality.

This provider is very sincere, dedicated & caring. He wants to help resolve whatever health issue you might have and listens well.

Thorough, compassionate.

He is very thorough. I trust him. I did my surgery and I was so happy with the results.

Dr. Weidenbecher is very thoughtful, informative, and personable

The physician personally called me to discuss the findings on my latest CT Scan and recommended holding off on surgery until further testing.

Always treats me with so much respect and is on time.

Just excellent. No other words.

Don’t look anywhere else. Highly skilled surgeon. I felt so comfortable.