Deciding to undergo transgender voice surgery is a life-changing step. Many patients report that after healing is complete and they become accustomed to their new voice, they realize how strongly their previous voice had been tied to their identity.
These surgeries most often transform a masculine-sounding voice into a feminine one (and rarely, the opposite). However, it is important to understand that the new voice will not be identical to the old one—it may be less powerful, have a narrower pitch range, and sometimes sound weaker or breathier. This is especially relevant for singers and professional voice users, as a once strong, resonant voice with a wide range may become higher-pitched but also softer and more limited.
Speech and voice therapy can be helpful in adapting to the new vocal quality, but it should be understood that the preoperative vocal characteristics cannot be fully preserved or regained.
Ultimately, transgender voice surgeries permanently alter the anatomy of the vocal folds and larynx in order to create a more feminine or masculine vocal quality. Along with pitch, many other aspects of the voice are also affected in this process.