Question:
Post-op and NO VOICE! Heeelllllpppp! This is really starting to irk me!

Hi guys, it's me again. I am 17 days post op and still do not have my voice back. I am starting to get scared. Has anyone else gone thru this after having the NG tube. My surgeon doesn't seem to know why this has happened.. I seem to be the only patient he has come across with this problem. Thanks.    — sgeisendorff (posted on July 13, 2001)

July 13, 2001
I don't know medically what the problem is, but I have noticed that if I don't drink enough water some days, I have the cracky voice thing or have to be always clearing my throat. Drinking more water is an easy fix. Good Luck
   — Mary W.

July 14, 2001
I had a sore throat for 4 weeks following surgery. My doc told me it was the NG tube. It went away! HUGS
   — Jo C.

July 14, 2001
The problem is more than likely from the breathing tube they put down you during surgery. I have had that problem after a lap gallbladder removal but not after my four c-sections. when i asked my dr. he said they don't intubate during a csection because it is a short operation. Breathing tubes can be bery irritating and ng tubes are fairly small and smooth so unlikely to be the problem.
   — paula B.

July 14, 2001
Check with an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. When they intubated you for surgery they could have damaged the vocal cords. This can happen very easily if they are not careful during intubation.
   — Dawn H.

July 14, 2001
I had outpatient surgery in October of last year, but I was put to sleep. When I woke up, my throat was on fire and I had no voice for about 5 weeks. I was unable to eat, barely able to drink for about two weeks. I actualy lost about 11 lbs. The ENT specialist took a look and noticed a contusion and later an infection. Fortunately, it came back on it's own, but it was the damage from the tube that caused my voice to go away. Maybe you should have a ear nose and throat specialist to take a look to make sure your vocal cords are not seriously damaged. It was very difficult to work under those circumstances, and I got a bit depressed because of it, but just double check ensure the damage isn't permanent. Good luck to you!
   — Kimberly D.