Adam Shave Surgery

While undergoing a transition from male to female, feminizing certain areas of the face and body is an important step towards achieving aesthetic goals and feeling more confident about one’s appearance.

The male and female silhouettes possess some apparent and subtle differences, most of which can make a substantial difference in how one feels about his/her looks during the transition. One such area where dramatic change can be achieved is the reduction of Adam’s apple. The Adam’s apple is an area of tracheal cartilage that appears as an apple-shaped bump on the throat and contains the voice box (or larynx) which acts as a resonance box for vocal cords. It is a masculine feature as males have a more obvious Adam’s apple because of their larger larynx as compared to females. However, the unusual growth and protrusion of the tracheal cartilage may be seen in trans women which can cause embarrassment. Occasionally, it can occur in cis-gender women too, which usually goes unnoticed.

Indications for Adam’s Apple Shave Surgery

The only reason to consider Adam’s Apple Shave Surgery is the prominence of Adam’s Apple in people assigned male at birth.

In individuals who are assigned male at birth, the appearance of Adam’s apple (a prominent bump in the front part of the throat) is normally seen. That’s because of the elevated level of male sex hormone (testosterone) during adolescence which increases the volume and size of the thyroid cartilage and larynx (voice box). At puberty, the males even experience elongation of their vocal cords and thickening of their muscular voice folds which changes the voice pitch, deepens the voice, and makes it sound more manly. However, adolescent girls who are assigned female at birth usually do not acquire the adam’s apple and if they do, surgical removal can be done to make their entire face more feminine. However, it is the most common in trans women.

This surgery can be performed in conjunction with other facial feminization procedures including jaw reduction, rhinoplasty, chin reduction, cheek augmentation, lip augmentation, and forehead contouring for a complete transformation as desired by the person.

Suitable candidates for Adam’s Apple Shave Surgery

Male-to-female transgender people seek tracheal shave to feminize the look of their throat or simply improve the appearance of their neck area.
Individuals with good physical and emotional health. Those who do not suffer from certain chronic medical conditions, uncontrolled active illnesses, or pre-existing neck and head pathologies.
People who have realistic goals and expectations from Adam’s Apple Shave Surgery.

The tracheal shave is not meant for everyone. To know who is an ideal candidate for tracheal shave in India consult the FFS surgeon at Designer Bodyz. The doctor may caution against this surgery if the candidates:

Have severe chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Have earlier records of neck surgery or voice disorders.
Have BMI (Body Mass Index) above 35 or a large neck circumference.

Prerequisites for Adam’s Apple Shave Surgery

Before deciding to opt for this surgery, here are a few things that one must know

The candidate must be physically fit without any long-term illnesses.
Ideally, the candidate must be a non-smoker, but if the candidate smokes, it is recommended to quit it at least several days before the surgery as it may interfere with healing.
If taking any medications, the doctor must be informed about the current intake of medications. It is not advised to take any blood thinning medications that might cause bleeding or inhibit blood clotting.
The candidate will receive written instructions from the surgeon that talk about when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure.

What to expect?

Prior to the surgery, the candidate will have an initial consultation with the surgeon who will provide a personalized treatment plan, and even discuss expectations, current intake of medications, and medical history. The doctor will medically evaluate the candidate for the procedure by running some diagnostic tests such as blood tests and EKGs. Photographs will be clicked of the candidate's throat from different views for planning as well as a comparison after the procedure.

Following the physical examination of the candidate, the certified surgeon will help determine the appropriate technique for the candidate. There are two approaches to carrying out the surgery: Indirect and Direct. In the Indirect technique, a hidden incision is made under the chin or jaw resulting in a less noticeable scar whereas, in the direct technique, a noticeable small cut is made over the thyroid cartilage that creates more scar tissue.

During the procedure, the candidate typically stays awake, though slightly sedated with the throat area numb. Often, general anesthesia may be provided if the surgery is performed along with other facial feminization surgeries. From start to finish, the overall procedure may last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. The surgeon makes an incision (around 2 cm deep) on the clean throat skin as per chosen technique. Through the cut, a tiny camera (endoscope) is inserted into the throat to have access to the thyroid cartilage and vocal cords. Next, the prominent thyroid cartilage and its superior borders are shaved down and removed using a surgical scalpel without touching/damaging the vocal cords. Power instrumentation may be used for shaving and removing the portions of tracheal cartilage. Once completed, the incisions are closed with sutures and the wounded site is covered with a sterile bandage. Drains may or may not be placed after the surgery to avoid extra fluids and blood from building up under the tissues.

After the surgery, the candidate will be taken to the recovery room and observed for some time before discharge. The candidates may require someone to pick them up and drive them home. On average, the candidate will recover completely from the surgery in about 2-4 weeks.

Post-surgical care/ Post-treatment instructions for Adam’s Apple Shave Surgery in India

Take proper rest for a day or two. Avoid any vigorous physical activity, loud speaking, or singing. Most patients can resume normal activities in a week.
Have soft foods or a liquid diet that doesn’t hurt the throat while swallowing until the throat heals.
Follow the surgeon's instructions for caring for the surgical site.
Don’t avoid follow-up visits to check the progress of healing and get stitches removed after 7-10 days.
Avoid shaving in the neck area until the surgeon allows you to go ahead with it.
If prescribed by the surgeon, apply topical steroids or creams and gently rub or massage the surgical site to avoid the formation of scar tissue.
To ease discomfort, apply ice packs and take pain relievers.

Frequently Asked Question

Are there any side effects of Adam’s Apple Shave Surgery?

Post-operative side effects include

Slight bruising and redness.
Little pain.
Some swelling.
Weak voice.
Sore throat.
Difficulty swallowing.

Are there any potential risks associated with Adam's shave to be aware of?

Yes. These include anesthesia-related risks such as postoperative delirium and breathing problems, removal of the excess thyroid cartilage, and a too-prominent scar. By choosing an experienced, certified surgeon, the candidate can reduce the risk potential. Other possible risks include voice changes, failure to achieve the desired results, infection, and the need for additional procedures.

How much does Adam’s Apple Shave Surgery cost?

The cost varies, just like all other aesthetic procedures depending upon the patient and the specific area being treated. It is typically more expensive when performed solo. However, the results are permanent. The actual price of the surgery is dependent upon the surgeon, location, and involvement/length of the surgery. To know more about Adam Shave Surgery cost in Mumbai book a consultation now at Designer Bodyz.

When can I expect to see results?

The results of Tracheal Shave surgery should be immediately apparent after the initial swelling subsides. One would be able to see a smoother neck with less visible or non-existent Adam’s apple. Final results can be expected within a year of the surgery.

Typically, how much time will it take to restore voice after Adam Shave surgery?

About 2-3 weeks are needed to recover the vocal cords and make possible normal use of the voice. If the voice is not rested during recovery when the candidate can get a 100% normal voice cannot be predicted.

Why Choose Designer Bodyz & Dr. Parag Telang?

When choosing the best surgeon for tracheal shave in India, it is important to check his qualifications. Dr. Parag Telang specializes in aesthetic as well as reconstructive plastic surgery and has several years of experience.
He is a reputed FFS surgeon practicing at Designer Bodyz, and he makes sure to follow the highest standards for safety as well as hygiene.
It is really important that a skilled surgeon like Dr. Parag Telang performs such surgeries so that there are no unwanted complications. He understands the needs and expectations of the patient as well as the anatomy of the face and plans the treatment accordingly.