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Stanford Health Care

Types

Gender-Affirming Voice Surgery

At Stanford Health Care, our gender-affirming voice care can help you adapt your voice in a way that is safe, authentic, and conforming to your gender identity.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR GENDER-AFFIRMING VOICE SURGERY

  • Board-certified laryngologists (head and neck surgeons) who are specially trained in innovative treatments for gender-affirming voice care
  • Convenient access to providers, including video visits for some appointments
  • Award-winning care for members of the LGBTQ+ community as recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation "Healthcare Equality Index"
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
We have proudly received perfect scores from the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, which recognizes our LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices.

What is Gender-Affirming Voice Surgery?

Types of Gender-Affirming Voice Surgery

Voice feminization surgery modifies your vocal cords by shortening them, tightening them, or both. Options include:

  • Vocal fold shortening and retrodisplacement of the anterior commissure (VFSRAC): Invented in South Korea with Dr. Hyung-tae Kim and brought to Stanford Medicine, this procedure removes some vocal fold tissue and stitches the ends together to increase tension and decrease vibratory length to raise pitch.
  • Feminization laryngoplasty with thyrohyoid elevation (FemLar): Innovated in Portland, OR and brought to Stanford Medicine, this procedure removes some thyroid gland cartilage, making your larynx (voice box) and Adam’s apple smaller. The procedure also removes a portion of your vocal folds, shortens your pharynx (throat), and lifts your voice box. 
  • Laser-assisted voice adjustment (LAVA): Your doctor uses various lasers to burn and vaporize portions of your vocal folds. As your vocal folds heal and scar, their tension increases.
  • Chondrolaryngoplasty (tracheal shave): Your doctor can shave down your thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple) to reduce its prominence. This procedure does not alter voice pitch but can often be performed at the same time as voice surgery.     

Voice masculinization (deepening) procedures can lower your voice’s pitch. In a procedure called thyroplasty type III, your doctor removes part of your thyroid cartilage to relax your vocal cords.

Our Clinics

Voice & Swallowing Clinic in Redwood City
450 Broadway Street
 Pavilion B
 Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-723-5281 Getting Here
Make An Appointment

To schedule an appointment, please call 650-723-5281