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Posted by: linda g ® 09/16/2002, 00:18:37 Author Profile Mail author |
I had SLAD-R surgery on July 30, 2002. Dr. Gerald Berke at UCLA performed my surgery. I am doing well and looking forward to getting my voice back in several months. At this time I can only whisper, but there is no strain. I would appreciate any information from others who have had the surgery concerning how long it took to get your voice back. Dr. Berke has said that I should have some voice within 3 months. Has that been the average time for those of you who had the surgery? Thanks in advance to those who respond to my question. Linda G. |
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Posted by: Lynne Martinez ® 09/16/2002, 16:29:35 Author Profile Mail author |
Dear Linda, Welcome to the Bulletin Board. Your husband was here last June, telling us about "insurance travails" in your quest to have surgery. I posted to him on that issue at that time, as I also have the same insurance plan. I understand the frustration. He did such a great job representing you and the concerns about pursuing treatment. I waited for others to answer this post, as I have not had SLAD surgery. I had a different kind, years earlier. I felt it would be best for SLAD patients to answer. However, since nobody has responded as yet, I'll tell you what I know, from knowing other SLAD patients. Although every patient is different, Dr. Berke normally says *3-to-6 months* (a range) to regain a full-working voice, when your nerves have re-innervated. He doesn't promise your original voice back. He was fairly clear about that, when he showed a patient-video in Arizona, that patients can't plan on having their exact original voice back, with all of its former capabilities. I am paraphrasing, not quoting. Over the years, on this Bulletin Board, many SLAD patients have talked about their recovery-period. If you go back into the Archives of this BB looking for posts which say "Berke" or "Surgery" in the Subject-Line, you may get alot of valuable information and find people you can write to, on their private e-mail. Unfortunately, you may have to do this manually, as the last time I tried to find something, the "Search" function wasn't working once I got into the Archives. I hope other SLAD patients write to you (either on or off the BB) about their experiences but, every case is SO unique that *average-time* doesn't tell the whole story. Doctors always try to give us a range, which is normally a fuzzy number but never exact; but, it's your own body and case which is in control. I think SD patients know this concept well because Botox-reactions and surgery-reactions are all so individual. Best wishes and keep us posted. Let me know if you need help with the Archives. There is alot of great sharing there from the recent past. --Lynne (AD/SD; Northern California) |
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Posted by: Glynda Haley ® 09/17/2002, 10:04:06 Author Profile Mail author |
Linda, I had the SLAD-R surgery on June 12 of this year. Dr. Joel Blumin in Philadelphia did the procedure. My voice has returned "leaps at a time". I went for days/weeks with no improvement - then awakened with more volume! Just last week my best friend, who I talk to everyday, called me - and when I answered the phone asked if she could speak to Glynda! (My voice was so improved she didn't recognize it!) So it has been a little over 3 months for me post-op. I still don't have "normal" volume - but it is more than sufficient! I couldn't be more pleased and look forward to even more improvement as the weeks go by. (Dr. Blumin said it would take 3 - 6 months for voice to return.) Glynda - AD/SD - Birmingham, AL - SLAD-R on 6-12-02 |
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Posted by: Barbara Oberholtzer ® 09/18/2002, 09:57:26 Author Profile Mail author |
Hi Linda, I had the surgery by Dr. Berke two years ago last August. It took a good six months for my voice to get strong and stay that way every day. I taped it at intervals so I could notice improvements and it helped because it seemed it was never going to get above a whisper. It seemed to just finally change almost overnight and has steadily gotten better. I can sing and halfway carry a tune now, about the only thing I can't do is yell very loud. I am so pleased with my results even though my voice is a little harsher sounding than my voice of long ago. Even the smooth whisper was so great after years of all the strain and croaking. I am so grateful for the doctors and excellent care I received. I sure wish you well and it sounds like you are doing good so far.
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Posted by: jodie schmidt ® 09/19/2002, 13:09:49 Author Profile Mail author |
Hi Linda, I had the SLAD surgery with Dr. Blumin in March of this year. At the six month mark I am doing great! My voice is pretty much back to normal. It took 3 to 4 months to get some volume but I can actually sort of yell now! Even my immediate post surgical whisper was much louder than my pre-surgical whisper. When anyone asks how my voice is doing I say "I'm talking loud and a lot"! Good luck, Linda, waiting is the the hardest part of all. Jodie AD/SD postSLAD FL |
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Posted by: Lib Haywood ® 09/20/2002, 15:54:44 Author Profile Mail author |
I had the SLAD surgery by Dr. Berke in Jan. 2001. The week after surgery I was home and talking on the telephone and the person could understand me. It was wonderful after having so many telephone converstions before where people kept asking me to repeat. Two weeks after surgery I played bridge in my club and had no problems communicating. My voice was a little breathy but continue to grow in volume. By three to four months it was probably back to a normal level. I have been well pleased with it and talk without any strain. Some days it seems smoother than others but still no strain. I am thankful that Dr. Berke was able to perform this operation. I have not had BoTox since Oct. 1999. |
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Posted by: Marsha Ferguson ® 09/20/2002, 17:11:37 Author Profile Mail author |
Okay I am a dummie when it comes to this message board..I need help knowing about this type surgery for the throat..I do not want to do the Botox,,no way..I have a appt. with a doc that does the surgery..Can you tell me something about it..anything..I have trouble talking..of course no one can understand me..breathing is awful..on oxygen and swallowing is difficult..I have generalized dystonia..Any and all info would be great..my e-mail Bruno@wf.net Hope to hear back..thanks.. |
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Posted by: Lib Haywood ® 09/21/2002, 15:17:33 Author Profile Mail author |
Marsha, you and I have talked privately via e-mail but I will answer for the benefit of others. With generalized dystonia, you may not be eligible for the operation. You would have to be evaluated and tested by one of the surgeons who perform the operation and they would decide if you are a candidate for the operation. The operation involves finding the nerve causing the spasms and reattaching it to a nonactive nerve. That is probably a very basic view of it. I am not a medical person so cannot explain it in medical terms. I think you are wise to research all of this before you decide the direction you should take. I would recommend trying BoTox for a while to see if it can help. Lib Haywood, AD/SD - SLAD Surgery 01/01 |
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Posted by: Sherry Overholt ® 09/24/2002, 13:49:20 Author Profile Mail author |
I had Dr. Berke's surgery Feb. 29, 2000 and am thrilled with the results. It was really the best decision I ever made. Although my voice is not perfect, it is considered normal now. People don't ask me if I am sick anymore. Actually, they rarely comment on my voice which is just fine with me!! My voice is lower, I cannot sing, but I attribute that to the first surgery I had in '92, and I can't yell. It took approx. 3 months to get a voice and about another 3 months to have an actual normal voice. The hardest thing to have is patience after surgery, but it pays off. I wish you luck!! Sherry Overholt |
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Posted by: john s. beeman ® 09/24/2002, 17:52:48 Author Profile Mail author |
Linda - I had the SLAD surgery in June of 2000. My voice did not return. I think my outcome is rare, but can happen. I know of one other man who had a poor outcome as well. I wish you the best. Follow the doctor's orders, and have patience. John |
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