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Dr Dawid Potgieter, located in Syfred Douglas St, Cape Town, South Africa offers patients Voice Feminization Surgery procedures among its total of 90 available procedures, across 1 different specialties. Currently, there's no pricing information for Voice Feminization Surgery procedures at Dr Dawid Potgieter, as all prices are available on request only. All procedures and treatments are undertaken by the lead specialist at the Hospital, and they have multiple recognized accreditations, including: HPCSA - Health Professions Council of South AfricaDepartment of Health, Western CapeFCS(SA) - Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of South Africa
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Voice feminization surgery is a procedure to help transgender women (male to female) obtain a more feminine sounding voice. The goal of the surgery is to change a perceived male-sounding voice to a female sounding voice. Voice feminization surgery focus on raising the habitual speaking pitch by decreasing the ability to produce a low-pitched voice, meaning it will reduce the overall pitch range of the voice. Most trans-women choose to have a voice feminization surgery because they are not satisfied with the results of voice therapy or they want a more authentic sounding female voice.
Several elements influence the price of Voice Feminization Surgery in Cape Town, making it fluctuate. The selected clinic, surgeon's proficiency, geographic setting, the procedure's complexity, and other expenses such as anaesthesia, hospitalization, and follow-up care all play a role.
One crucial detail to remember is that numerous insurance firms do not pick up the tab for Voice Feminization Surgery. Therefore, liaising with your insurance organization and the clinic is essential to grasp the full extent of the costs involved. Before proceeding, your healthcare provider should offer a comprehensive breakdown of expected expenses to assist in your financial planning.
There are several techniques to perform voice feminization surgery. The most common technique is called cricothyroid approximation, which involves elongating the vocal folds to increase vocal pitch. During this procedure, your surgeon brings the cricoid cartilage closer to the thyroid cartilage using metal plates or sutures. The cricoid cartilage is then shifted upward and backward, while the thyroid cartilage is moved downward and forward.
Another technique is called Wandler Glottoplasty. This technique connects the anterior 1/3 of your vocal folds using suture, while the remaining 2/3 act as female length vocal folds, which will yield a slightly higher voice. With this technique, no incisions are created in the neck since the entire procedure is performed through the mouth.
All techniques are performed under general anesthetic, so you will be asleep and comfortable throughout the surgery. The surgical reduction of Adam’s apple may be performed at the same time as voice feminization surgery.
Voice feminization surgery generally takes around 40 to 50 minutes to complete. The procedure is normally performed as an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day. However, you will need to stay in Cape Town for at least 8 to 10 days as you will have to attend follow-up checkups. During the follow-up checkups, your healing will be monitored and outer stitches will be removed.
It is strongly recommended that you organize for an individual to be present with you or to remain with you for, at minimum, the initial evening following your surgical procedure. Concerning the remainder of your stay in Cape Town, your course will be directed by the post-operation care strategy put together by your medical professionals who will monitor your recuperation journey prior to approving your departure back to your residence.
The total recovery time until the tissue completely heals may take as long as six months. However, you should be able to return to most of your normal activities within a couple of weeks. If your job does not require the use of voice, you may be able to go back to work within one week. However, if it involves the use of voice, you need to take two weeks off work. Your surgeon will give you a recovery timeline, including the time you can go back to work and do strenuous activity.
For the first week, you may not be allowed to speak (absolute silence). It is important that you drink enough water to moisturize the vocal cords. In order to prevent acid reflux, your doctor may advise you to avoid chocolate, caffeine, peppermint, acidic foods, fatty foods, alcoholic drinks, and soda.
You will have to attend follow-up checkups at the third, sixth, and twelfth month after surgery. If you cannot travel to Cape Town for these checkups, make sure to talk to your surgeon. In most cases, you should be able to do the checkups with your local doctor back at home. Since voice feminization surgery only changes your pitch, you may still need a voice feminizing therapy to work on other vocal behaviors. The therapy will help you adapt to your new voice. It normally targets your vocal pitch, prosody, and vocal resonance. The therapy will also address speech rate, phrasing, articulation, voice quality, and nonverbal communication (such as eye contact and facial expression).
Voice feminization surgery is a safe and effective procedure. Many patients who have had the surgery are satisfied with the results. In this instance, success is ordinarily marked by helping the patient cultivate a feminine voice that aligns with their personal identity.
Nonetheless, one must bear in mind that the efficacy of the operation is strongly linked to the competence of the surgical practitioner, the well-being of the person involved, and compliance with after-surgery care and instructions. Consistent after-surgery assessments, ample relaxation, and linguistic rehabilitation often carry significant weight in securing a successful outcome of the operation.
If you do not want to undergo surgery to feminize your voice, voice therapy alone can be the alternative. The therapy can help you change your vocal characteristics, such as pitch and intonation, as well as nonverbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions. A speech-language pathologist will help you learn and practice techniques to feminize your voice. The process of voice therapy may be lengthy, necessitating repetition and resilience.
Prior to the Voice Feminization Surgery, you'll meet with your surgeon to address your anticipations and any potential worries you may have. A vocal evaluation might also be part of the pre-treatment process. Following the procedure, it's essential to observe a time of complete vocal silence to ensure the proper mending of your vocal cords. Transient alterations in your voice may occur post-surgery.
Once the period of complete vocal silence has ended, you'll gradually begin to use your voice. Participation in speech therapy sessions might be recommended to aid in adjusting to your new voice. Keep in mind, the primary objective is to obtain a voice that is in harmony with your identity and feels comfortable, therefore, it is crucial for patients to remain compliant and dedicated to the post-operative care plan.
If you wanted to adapt your voice and communicate in a way that matches your gender identity, voice feminization surgery will help you achieve that. After the procedure, you can expect to have a more feminine voice with a higher pitch. It may be hard at first to maintain your new voice with loved ones or people who knew you before transitioning, and you might even fear comments about yourself or feel self-conscious about your new voice. Know that these feelings are valid and those who love you will always support you. Try to focus on enjoying what you are doing for yourself.
Just like any operation, there are potential hazards associated with the Voice Feminization Surgery such as:
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa and is also known as the Mother City. It is the oldest city in the country and home to the Parliament of South Africa and is a major destination for immigrants and expatriates, making it one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Located on the shore of Table Bay, the city is known for its harbor, natural setting, as well as famous attractions and many tourists, visit to enjoy Table Mountain and Cape Point.
Recently, tourists also come to the city for its medical tourism. Many groundbreaking procedures and medical research in South Africa, such as the world’s first penile transplant, have put Cape Town under the radar of medical tourists from all around the globe. Thanks to its world-class healthcare and world-renowned medical practitioners, more and more people now prefer Cape Town as their medical destination. The healthcare in the city is among the best on the African continent. Other reasons such as shorter waiting times for surgeries, state-of-the-art equipment, and affordable healthcare compared to Europe and the United States, and English-speaking doctors.
Cape Town is a natural beauty that offers a wide range of things to do and see. From culture, food, art, to nature. Listed below are some of the more popular places in the city:
Cape Town enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate. The summer is dry and warm, lasting from early December to March. The average maximum temperature during this season is around 26 °C, and the minimum is 16 °C. The Berg Wind that arrives from February to early March can make the city uncomfortably hot for a couple of weeks.
The winter starts in June and ends in August and the season is characterized by mild and wet weather. The city also experiences strong north-westerly winds during this season. The average temperature ranges between 8.5 °C at the lowest and 18 °C at the highest.
The primary airport that serves Cape Town is the Cape Town International Airport and it is the second busiest airport in South Africa and the fifth busiest in Africa. The airport serves direct domestic flights to major cities and several small centers in the country. It also connects the country with major cities in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It is the hub for South African Express as well as budget airlines such as Mango and FlySafair.
There are several types of taxis: the metered taxis, Rikkis Taxis, and minibus taxis. The metered taxis can be a little expensive but are usually comfortable. Tourists can order one via a phone call or from one of the city’s official taxi stands. Tourists should always choose reputable taxi companies such as Marine Taxi, Unicab, Excite, and SA Cab.
Rikkis Taxis are painted yellow and very popular and these taxis run on a fixed fare rather than metered, so they are a little more affordable than metered taxis and a good option if you are traveling on longer journeys. Other than the Rikkis Taxis, tourists can choose the minibus taxis which are perfect for adventurous foreign travelers. The minibus taxis can be found practically everywhere and are very cheap, however, you will need to know exactly where your destination is and tell the driver when to stop. Another travel option is the MyCiTi bus, a modernized and effective bus system.
There are more than 60 countries listed in the visa exemption agreements, which means the citizens of these countries can stay in South Africa for up to 90 days. Other countries not listed must obtain a valid visa to enter the country. A Medical Treatment Visa is available for medical tourists. Note that all visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 30 days after the expiration of their intended visit.