Question:
Did WLS affect your voice?

I know someone one is going to read this and think I'm nut's but here goes, I am a professional singer, I have been trained to sing from my diaphragm and using my abdominal muscles is part of that. Has any one out there had any changes in their singing ability or tone after this major surgery? If so, was it long or short term? Better or Worse? How long did it take to get the abdominal strength back? Did you have to learn new vocal techniques or did the old ones work fine? And do you feel the weight lost helped or hurt your singing? This isn't a deal breaker I just want to know what lies ahead voice wise beyond a sore throat for a week after WLS Thanks, J D    — Jack D. (posted on October 15, 2000)

October 14, 2000
Hi Jack, I'm not a professional singer, but I can tell you it took a few weeks for me to be able to belt 'em out while listening to the car radio! There is some muscle soreness until your abdominal muscles heal - I would assume once you can cough or sneeze without feeling it, you'll be able to sing from the diaphragm again. As far as tone is concerned, uh...I said I sing...didn't say I was good at it! Good Luck...I admire your talent!
   — Allie B.

October 14, 2000
Jack, my daughter is also a trained vocalist and has experienced no changes at all since her surgery. She did, however, have a lap RNY and had less initial discomfort and a shorter recuperation period than with an open procedure. She didn't think you'd notice any difference at all once the initial soreness was gone. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

October 14, 2000
I am a singer, too, and if ANYTHING changed, my voice got stronger. My ability to hold notes improved and my breathing is MUCH better! My actual voice didn't change at all...but the technique and delivery improved greatly! Before my WLS, I had to SIT when I sang...couldn't stand for a whole song. Now..I can do a 30 minute praise service at church with no problems at all..standing up! It only gets BETTER!!!
   — Cindy Lou C.

October 14, 2000
JD I think that if there was anyway that this type of surgery would affect your diaphram and the ability to sing Carnie Wilson would not have had it done. Look at how good she has done with her weight loss and her voice sounds as good as ever if not better. Just think of the uplifting her voice must have now with her new look with just an increase in self esteme
   — debbie P.

October 15, 2000
Hey, Cindy is right. I sing also and have found that I have more strength in my voice. I had to learn to control my breathing because it got easier. Its wonderful.
   — Courtrina Amur W.

October 15, 2000
If your throat is sore and your voice is hoarse, it was likely caused not by the WLS procedure, but by the intibation procedure once you were put under. Once they give you the anesthesia (by gas or IV injection), you are put down so deeply that you do not breathe on your own. The anesthesiologist has a set amount of time to get you intibated, and they also insert the NG tube at that time, I believe (not quite sure when that goes in, but they put it in while you're down). When I had a hysterectomy in '97, I had a hoarse voice and sore throat following, and the surgeon told me they had a hard time getting me intibated and getting the NG tube down. If that was the problem, it is only a matter of time for the vocal cords to heal up from the irritation. You may want to ask your doctor about it. Best of luck!!!
   — Michelle F.

October 16, 2000
Hi, I am a singer also and had open RNY on 6/23/00. I am now almost 4 months post and am back to full voice. I have lost almost 70 pounds since May 1st and I really think that my voice is now stronger than ever. I have been walking daily and I think that as my abs have strengthened so has my voice. Good Luck!
   — Andrea P.

October 16, 2000
Wow thanks for all the feedback. One more worry off the list. Thanks again, J.D.
   — Jack D.

October 16, 2000
I am a nurse and also a singer. This may not help you but it will help others. Let the anesthesiologist know that you are a singer and that you would like a smaller ET (endotracheal tube) when you are intubated. Most of them will do that without question.
   — smatney

September 7, 2005
I don't have any problem with singing but recently, 4 months after surgery and down from 309 to 226, a couple of people have remarked that I talk more quietly since my surgery. I hadn't noticed. It's not a problem. I do a lot of public speaking and have a strong voice that I can project very well, and that hasn't changed. It's when I'm talking normally that the change happens. People can still hear me. They are just wondering about it. Anyone know anything about this?
   — Loving I.

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