Still No Voice After Operation...

[Scarlett]

After my microlaryngoscopy and biopsy 11 days ago I have virtually no pain now, but my voice is still completely hoarse. It has no 'grip', is breathy and soft, and feels very laboured if I speak. I have avoided all talking bar about 3 sentences to try and get it to heal faster. Is this normal? Should I be worried? Should I start to talk a bit despite the difficulty, or rest it more? When should I get the clarity back- it still feels quite phlegmy. Sorry, probably only Sqad will know about this but would appreciate any thoughts!

[Buenchico]

From the website of the Royal Free Hospital:
"You may have to rest your voice for anything from two days to one week"

So it does seem that your voice is taking a little longer to recover than is normal but it's probably nothing to worry about. However it's possible (especially at this time of year) that you might have contracted an infection which could be slowing your recovery, so it would probably be wisest to get it checked out.

I suspect that one piece of advice given by the RFH might be somewhat wasted upon you: "Avoid singing and shouting!"
;-)

http://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/pip_admin/docs/microlaryngoscopy_099.pdf

[Scarlett]

Yes, most sites advise resting voice for 1 week to 10 days but infer that talking can actually be done. Whereas I still have nothing!

[Sqad]

This is perfectly normal, so STOP worrying.

I do not care a jot what the website,s say, you can talk, but normally......just do NOT whisper OR shout.