|
|
|
|||
|
| SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea |  | ||
| Archive | |||
|
Posted by: Gary Lea ® 01/17/2010, 01:24:10 |
Three years ago today I had my SLAD-R surgery at UCLA Medical Center with Dr. Berke. It doesn’t feel like three years but time has flown! I remain very satisfied with the outcome. I am on no medication, whether botox or any other prescribed medication, to help moderate vocal spasming. I have been back to work as a clinical psychologist on a FT basis since March 26, 2007 (11 weeks post-surgery). I have attended at Court probably 15 or more times successfully, and am dictating my reports using Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9, voice recognition software. As was the case pre-op I remain vocally sensitive to colds and certain foods such as caffeine, dairy products, chocolate, citrus, nuts and spicy dishes; the theme remains but it plays out at a different, more manageable, level. I am not breathy. For all intents and purposes I have a "normal" voice, and I would say that it is no worse and no better than it was one or two years ago. I would be pleased to discuss my experience further with anyone considering the SLAD-R surgery. If anyone would like to speak with me directly please call me at my home number 250-860-6967; just email me beforehand at glea@shaw.ca to set up a time after 7 pm or on the weekend. I am in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada in the Pacific Time Zone (the same as California). If you have any questions feel free to write me at the same email address. Best wishes to all, Gary Lea SD/AD diagnosed 1992 but developed circa 1970 related very likely to viral pneumonia; SLAD-R Jan 2007
|
| | | | Current page |
| Replies to this message |
| Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea | | ||
| Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea -- Gary Lea | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: irish ® 01/17/2010, 15:05:30 |
Bravo Gary! I had the SLAD-R surgery 1 1/2 years ago and am doing fine. I know about 10 surgical patients some 12 years or so post op and they are all doing well too. I had symptoms of ADSD for 38 years prior to surgery so I have had to learn to breathe correctly and correct some bad habits, but I can hold my own in regular conversations, be heard in noisy environments, be understood on the phone, project to someone standing 100 feet away. It is great and I'd do it again. My voice isn't perfect because I have a slight essential tremor that is unrelated to SD. This is for ADductor patients only. This is major microscopic surgery so anyone considering it should not take it lightly and should be in good health, but I too would be happy to give you information as well. trish0@dslextreme.com Irish |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea | | ||
| Re: Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea -- irish | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: Optimist ® 01/22/2010, 18:07:53 |
Thanks Gary and Irish. I just had my first botox treatment and am just learning about options. I really appreciate your reports. Someday I might consider the surgery. I take it this is the surgery that is not reversible? I wonder if there are statistics, from both a subjective and ojective study. For example, objective results study might be from recordings pre and post op with 'range of normalcy' readings, and subjective might be the patient's satisfaction with surgery. I am really happy for both of you! Thanks again for reporting. |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea | | ||
| Re: Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea -- Optimist | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: irish ® 01/25/2010, 00:50:04 |
If you have bilateral surgery like I had, there is no reversing it. They are now offering unilateral surgery and so far have been very successful with it. If for some reason it doesn't work they can still do the other side. Regarding the statistics on the success of the surgery I have heard from 75-90% success but I believe those are old statistics and the surgery has been improved upon since then. I don't think you'd want to "reverse" the surgery, because they sever the offending nerve that carries the message to spasm. You wouldn't want to be hooked up to that nerve again. Then they take a nerve from the strap muscles and transplant it. When it grows, it replaces the severed nerve. This surgery addresses the symptom of SD, the spasms. It does not cure SD which is in the brain. This is major microscopic surgery so it is a big decision. With every surgery there are risks. There have been some incidences where the SD has found another nerve pathway and has returned, but those cases are rare. I spoke to one woman whose SD returned after two years, but she was totally pleased that she had had the surgery and had been able to talk those two years without spasms. I know about a dozen people who have had the surgery with excellent results. If you would like to email with them, I'd be happy to introduce you to them. Just email me at : trish0@dslextreme.com |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea | | ||
| Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea -- Gary Lea | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: peter mills ® 01/23/2010, 04:25:17 |
well done Gary. i am really pleased for you and having spoken to you around a year or so ago, you have done brilliantly. as you know i had the same surgery around a month before you so we were able to compare progress. Unfortunately my last 18 months has seen one of the cords shrink, whilst the other one is fine. No more SD but still working on the weakended cord. so for me 80% sucessful and no regrets. As ever i never ever give up on anything so am consdiering a thyroplasty on the weakened cord to get me to 95%. thanks to Dr berke i was able to continue running my consultancy business, speak at conferences and have now been able to sell the business as a going concern with the aim of retiring in 3 years.
like you i wil recommend the treatment by Dr Berke to any ADSD sufferer. |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea | | ||
| Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea -- Gary Lea | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: Doug7Moore ® 01/24/2010, 17:56:56 |
I just had the deinnervation/reinnervation surgery using Dr. Berke's newer technique of performing the surgery on just one side of the vocal cords. The surgery was painless and quick (I was walking on the beach within 48 hours) and I was able to speak in a tremor free voice (although very weak) as soon as I woke up. I'm still waiting for my voice to recover but I'm convinced that Dr. Berke has correctly identified the problem. My Spasmodic Dysphonia is gone and Dr. Berke stated that the danger of the nerve re-connecting (thus returning the symptoms) should not be a factor since he actually removed the offending nerve. At 38 years old, this surgery seems like a no-brainer when contrasted to a lifetime of botox treatments. Douglas Moore |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea | | ||
| Re: Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea -- Doug7Moore | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: irish ® 01/25/2010, 00:54:38 |
Hi Peter and all, I'm glad that you posted Peter as I was about to email you. Glad that you are doing well and thinking about retirement. I've been retired a month now and am still talking up a storm. Yes, Dr. Berke is a life saver. If anyone is considering this type of surgery, he is the expert. The surgeon is the key to any surgery. He is the guy who turns the key and lets your voice out of prison. What a joy! Irish |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea | | ||
| Re: Re: SLAD-R surgery - three years post-op report - Gary Lea -- irish | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: picaso ® 01/26/2010, 21:36:27 |
I too has slad surg with Dr. Berke after long research into the pros and challenges. Iam now less than twomnths after doing a unilateral procedre.....my voice is low, and one volume, soundks like I have a sweriouse sore throat.but the best of all is I can speak and kknow what cconstants,, vowels siybds wukk keave my lips....this was wort thr price of admission. From what I hear, it take 6 months from date of op to really be back to al msot normal is that is a thing. I will keep you posted.....most of all I have hope and that is all I can ask for. IF any one would like to talk with me, shoot me an email pauls@www.answerquest.net |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
