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| tristessa80
- Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:07 pm |
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Hi,
I had a parathyroidectomy (left side) on 4/1/09. I've had a weak voice (not above a whisper) ever since (as of this posting on 4/7/09). The MD said that my vocal cords are bruised, but not damaged.
How long can I expect to have this weak voice? Will my regular voice ever return?
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| John Kenyon, CNA
- Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:14 pm |
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 Hello --
This is a not-uncommon complication of surgery in the area involved, as well as other procedures such as intubation. While the vocal weakness post surgery (and/or sometimes lowered register, hoarseness, etc.) can be troubling it usually resolves if there is bruising, because the swelling can take weeks to months to go away, and it doesn't take much swelling to affect the vocal abilities pretty profoundly. You're really early in the course of recovery from this, so it could be a while yet, but your doctor is correct in that this will almost always resolve on its own, although you must remember to not strain at talking in the meantime, which will only prolong the symptoms.
I hope this is helpful to you. Good luck with this, and please follow up with us as needed.
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