Question:
Are there any Opera Singers out there who have had WLS?

I am wanting to hear from Opera Singers, or anyone who knows of any, how have had the surgery. I appreciate that others may have "guesses" at what surgery may do, or not do, to a voice, but I would like to know from someone who has gone through it. I do believe that the surgery itself will not harm the voice...it is the rapid weight loss that will stress it. Our bodies are out instruments, and losing weight so quickly will be like going from playing a Double Bass to a Violin practically overnight. So, if anyone out there is a singer, please let me hear from you. Thanks so much.    — Courtney Durham (posted on November 13, 2002)

November 12, 2002
What about Carnie Wilson? I know she is not an opera singer but she may have info on the affects on the voice. I know that someone on this site must know how to get in touch with her. She has her own site that I am sure would take your emailed question.
   — Carol S.

November 12, 2002
Actually I remember this being discussed before and I know there are members here that are professional singers. You may research the library and post here a few times and also on the message board. They also put a tube down your throat for surgery that can cause problems. So before you have any surgery, you need to know how good your anesthesiologist is.
   — faybay

November 12, 2002
Hi...I am not a professional singer. But I am a choir leader and I sing solo at church and for weddings. I can tell you that since my RNY in Feb I feel like my voice has gotten stronger. My lung capacity has actually improved. I have an alto voice and I think after surgery my range of notes is actually higher than it was before. You should have no worries that this will affect your singing voice in any way long range. Short range, right after surgery you will experience congestion from the anesthesia but that should not last any longer than a couple of weeks tops.
   — SARose61

November 12, 2002
I am a singer and I am 2 weeks post-op. I have had NO problem singing. The only thing that annoyed me was for about the first week my breath control was out of wack, but now I have no problems. Inform your nurses that you are a singer and they will be extra careful with the tubes. (or at least my nurses did) Good luck!!
   — Nicole B.

November 12, 2002
I sang opera in college.... and had performed for many years after that, though not on a professional level. I don not feel the weight loss has hurt my voice, BUT i had to be on a ventilator for a couple of weeks after surgery, intubated. THAT has greatly affected my range. My doctor thought it would be temporary, but it has almost been 6 months..... Just take care and have a good talk with the anethesiologist prior to surgey. Let him/her know how important your voice is.
   — Linda M.

November 13, 2002
My mother is two-and-a-half years out and just finished recording her latest Christian music album. She is classically trained and sang opera for a while, but decided against pursuing it as a career because of the time away from home. Her voice has not been affected by the weight loss. If anything, the weight loss has given her the energy required to go back into the studio to record. :)
   — PT LawMom

November 13, 2002
Ann Wilson has also had it done.(one of my faves!)While not an opera singer, I bet she could be, she definately has some PIPES. She discussed this very issue on her profile on Spotlighthealth.com Check it out.
   — Marilayne M.

November 13, 2002
Thanks for asking this question! I am a choir director and singer and have been told by some people that this surgery will mess up my voice....My health is my #1 concern, and I am having the surgery in less than two weeks' time and was worried about my voice.
   — Kathy S.