My voice was an integral part of my identity. Following a tracheal shave procedure in October, I lost most of my vocal range and experienced hoarseness. I assumed this was from the procedure and wasn't worried about it til now, three months later. I went to see an ENT specialist because the recovery time for a tracheal shave is generally around 2-4 weeks. They did some tests and found that I still had a lot of swelling in my throat as well as vocal cord nodules or polyps, I can't remember which. Prior to my surgery I was loud and my voice had resonance. I could also sing falsetto (which I still can) and belt (which I can't do anymore). I lose my voice sometimes and the quality is often raspy. I also feel like my throat is too wide especially when I swallow, like there's a lump or a ball, and sometimes for random short periods of time that occur sporadically swallowing becomes extremely painful. The pain is focused on the right side of my neck. I looked up possible disorders and honestly I feel like I can have any number of combinations of them; silent reflux, vocal cord paralysis, vocal cord nodules & polyps, vocal cord damage. My voice was very important to me and I really want to know if I can restore it. If I have irreversible vocal cord damage I want to know.
Thank you.