Tracheal Shave in Atlanta, GA

The laryngeal prominence in the throat, also called the Adam's apple, is one of the subtle yet major distinguishing factors between men and women. An Adam's apple is typically widely associated with men and adds to a more masculine appearance. Our Atlanta, GA board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Fara Movagharnia, is skilled in performing tracheal shaving procedures, which reduce the cartilage on top of the larynx (voice box) that is responsible for the protruding area along the neck. This surgery can help in the male to female transformation, allowing a more feminine and smooth appearance to be achieved. In some cases, it can also raise the pitch of the voice since the cartilage on top of the voice box is partly responsible for creating a lower-toned voice in men. At the Center for Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Movagharnia can meet with you and create a custom treatment plan based on the amount of cartilage you have and your end goals. Call today for a consultation.

The tracheal shave is usually performed as an outpatient surgery with the patient under local or general anesthesia. To perform a chondrolaryngoplasty, our plastic surgeon makes a small horizontal incision above the larynx and pulls back the neck muscles to reveal the thyroid cartilage. Our surgeon will carefully shave thin layers of the cartilage until the projection is significantly reduced. Dr. Movagharnia will only remove as much cartilage as possible without injuring the vocal chords, so some patients may still have a slight protrusion, but the neck will be smoother after the procedure. Once he has removed the cartilage, the neck muscles and skin will be stitched back together and cleaned before the surgical area is covered with bandages.

You will be able to leave after the procedure to recover at home and will return for follow-up appointments at our Atlanta, GA office. You should expect some bruising and swelling in your neck as well as mild pain and discomfort. You are advised to rest your voice as much as possible for at least three weeks after the surgery. Scar management therapy will be discussed with Dr. Movagharnia to help you minimize your surgical scarring during the recovery.

A smooth, feminine neckline can help take your aesthetic to the next level. For men undergoing the transition process, a tracheal shaving procedure can help reduce the appearance of the Adam's apple by removing excess cartilage on the larynx while preserving the voice box and producing a natural look. Dr. Movagharnia is very skilled and passionate about producing amazing results that are individualized to each patient. Call our office today to learn more.