The Tonsil Thread

[sillyspook13]

I went to the doctor today to schedule to have my tonsils removed after yet another bout of tonsilitis (I get it about once every other month).

I was told that, because of the way my mouth is formed (two uvulas!), my voice may change. This presents a new problem: I sing. If I go through with the surgery, I may lose my singing voice.

So what do I do? Do I keep my tonsils? Or do I sacrifice the one thing I love to do most for the sake of feeling better?


On a lighter note, the doctor did a double take when he saw my uvula..... He even called in the other doctors to see "the most extreme specimen of a split uvula he had ever encountered." According to one doctor, "She has two of them!" :lol:

 

[tigsmom]

Only you can make that decision. The longer you wait the more chance there is for complications after surgery. Do you sing professionally? If so you may just want to keep with the antibiotics during each bout (but eventually they will stop working).

One thing I know for sure, you NEVER want to be the patient that all the other doctors come to see or hear them say "its the first time we've seen this!" :lol:

 

[Atta83]

Yeah like Tigs mom said only you can make that decision. I have to get my wisom teeth taken out next week and the sugron was like you should of came here sooner cause yeah you got some good compacted ones....

Thats funny though how he had to show everyone. But I hope you make a good decision and good luck!

 

[TAC]

Yea, like the car mechanic or appliance repairman: "We've never had a problem with your model/unit before." OR "We've never have seen a problem quite like this before."

 

[barnum42]

When they say your voice may change, do they mean the pitch could alter? In which case could you still sing, but get used to a new register?

Surely they are not actually going to mess with your vocal chords?

Have they said what could actually cause the change - what part of the act of singing a note is likely to be interfered with?

 

[dandaman]

Heck, I didn't really have a choice. I missed my first day of school because I had tonsil surgery. My throat hurt for 2 weeks, but I got to eat Jello and orange sherbet for 2 whole weeks, for all meals!

 

[LouDisney]

I don't know what I would do. I can't sing so I would never be faced with that kind of decision. You will make the right one I am sure. Good luck

 

[Not For Sale]

What ever you do, be sure to document it and write a script about your decision.

 

[sillyspook13]

When they say your voice may change, do they mean the pitch could alter? In which case could you still sing, but get used to a new register?

Surely they are not actually going to mess with your vocal chords?

Have they said what could actually cause the change - what part of the act of singing a note is likely to be interfered with?

They say it would be pitch and quality. Right now I sing mezzo-soprano. My range could drop to alto. And I could have a mre nasal sounding voice.

The problem is.... a cleft uvula is a sign of cleft palate. Although my uvula is severely cleft, I don't have cleft palate. The doctor said that this may cause my throat to heal different, changing my vioce.

I'll see about getting a second opinion from another doctor. Maybe I can find somebody who has dealt with this before.

 

[LSUxStitch]

I'm sure this is just me, but I want to see pictures of your double Uvula that sounds awsome. I have a prblm with my uvula, where it might have to be removed, maybe you can lend me yours

 

[barnum42]

I'll see about getting a second opinion from another doctor. Maybe I can find somebody who has dealt with this before.

That sounds like your best bet, let us know what the developments are and good luck :kiss:

 

[barnum42]

I have a prblm with my uvula, where it might have to be removed,

My brother in law had his removed as part of treatment for sleep apnoea. It took him a little while to learn how to swallow without the gag switch, but he's the better for it.

 

[tenchu]

It's so much better once your tonsils are out though.

I was like you, would get tonsilitis every month without fail, and I've had them out for 10 years now. Never a problem since.

I reckon taking the risk with your voice would be worth it.

Good luck.

 

[Debbie]

My uvula was removed with everything else when I was 11. I used to sing before (how good? hmmmm.) and my voice wasn't affected. Now, I didn't have the complicating factor of that you have, and I don't know how far I could have gotten with my voice. I can tell you that my voice has changed alot from what it was when I was 15-25 and what it has been since my mid 30's.
Singing is something you love to do and you are very smart to seek a second opinion.

 

[sillyspook13]

I'm sure this is just me, but I want to see pictures of your double Uvula that sounds awsome. I have a prblm with my uvula, where it might have to be removed, maybe you can lend me yours

If you had been at the December meet you would have seen it...... :animwink: :lol:

 

[hoppypooh]

I'll see about getting a second opinion from another doctor. Maybe I can find somebody who has dealt with this before.

That sounds like the best idea to me. Don't do something so serious (and possibly voice altering!) without checking out ALL your options first!
Call around for recommendations - particularly to hospitals affiliated with universities.

I had my tonsils out at 12 by an absolute quack and he didn't do it properly and THEY GREW BACK! I had to have them removed again at 21! Not fun!

 

[Master Yoda]

I would find a doctor that specializes in dealing with professional singers. Chances are the doctors around Orlando are more concerned with doing the surgery properly and much less about your voice changing. There has got to be a doctor out there that knows what to do and what not to do in tonsil surgery with regards to a persons voice. You very well might need to go to Hollywood to get the surgery done but look at the bright side at least you will get to go to Disneyland.

 

[sillyspook13]

First off, to clear up my location, I am currently in college in Warner Robins/Macon, Georgia. This doctor was in Macon.

Having said that, I went to the choir director tonight to get her advice about my tonsils. I got some great information.....

*From her experience (in Ohio and Georgia) she has actually seen a positive impact of tonsilectomy on the singing voice. Of course there's the obvious, the singer isn't out of commission frequently with a sore throat! She has seen the quality of a singer's voice improve after their tonsils were removed.

*She knows a doctor in Atlanta who specializes in vocalists. She'll get a phone number for me soon. My mom agrees that a 2 hour drive to see a specialist is worth it.

*My teacher recently went to Orlando to have specialized surgery on her leg. Apparently her doctor gave her the same "I've never seen a case like THAT before!" that I had with my mouth! :lol:

And of course I had another round of double uvula show and tell tonight! :lol: :lookaroun :dazzle:

 

[Woody13]

Most doctors remove both the tonsils and the adenoids. The removal of the adenoids may cause you to speak and sing through your nose.

 

[barnum42]

Marcia, sounds like you are getting some positive news on this, glad to hear it