does having your tonsils removed affect your singing voice?

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 2:30am

just wondering?

thanks

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 9:41am

It depends on your body, you'd have to ask a Doctor for more specifics. One of my close friends who is a singer had hers removed and she used to have a gruff, raspy sound but her voice is a bit lighter now with a more "pure sound". I believe her head voice also went up a full step.

Then there is that story that Kristin Chenoweth always tells where her voice teacher told her to write the word "singer" on tape on her forehead when she had her tonsils removed so the Doctors would be extra careful. I believe her head voice also went up a full step or a step and a half.

[never_has_been]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 10:10am

Backwoodsbarbie is exactly right. The removal of the tonsils themselves will more than likely improve your voice. The risk comes from the intubation. Any intubation (the insertion of the tube that will assist you to breath will under anesthesia) will cause temporary problems, but just a few days and chances are you won't feel much like singing in those early days anyway. The anesthesiologist should be the one who asks you to sign the consent (nurses are not allowed to obtain this consent, at least not in my state)that would be a good time to mention to him or her that you are a singer. He can then consider this when choosing the size of the ET tube he'll use. There is also a spray that they can use to protect the vocal cords.

As a side note, sinus surgery will cause major problems in your head voice for two to three months. I know you didn't ask that, I'm just saying for anyone who might need to know.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 10:26am

Wasn't there a whole episode of Glee where Rachel was nervous to get her tonsils out because she was afraid it would damage her voice? Or was it some other problem? The episode was called "Laryngitis" but I feel like she didn't actually have laryngitis.

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 10:28am

I agree with the previous posters 100%.

In addition, take in to account that the reason one has their tonsils removed in the first place (as was for certain in my case) is that they are probably experiencing frequent sore throats or vocal discomfort and swelling, which all affects the sounds one can produce.

After the operation these uncomfortable feelings will be lessened or gone completely

Just the fact that I felt much better physically (without constant throat pain) made me happier and well rested, which allowed me to sing much better!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 11:18am

I didn't ask the question, but am glad to hear so many intelligent responses. Once the poster put this up, I'd been curious to the answer!

So thanks to all that took the time!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 12:41pm

Wasn't there a whole episode of Glee where Rachel was nervous to get her tonsils out because she was afraid it would damage her voice? Or was it some other problem? The episode was called "Laryngitis" but I feel like she didn't actually have laryngitis.

I remember that episode. She ended up "curing" it with tea.

[loyalwickedfan]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 1:10pm

Thanks for the info, I've always wondered about this.

[BwayTday]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 1:17pm

It can make your your range higher? Where do I sign up?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 1:57pm

What about after a sex change operation? =)

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 5:49pm

yeah thanks for the responses... i asked because whenever i get sick my throat is the one that usually suffers the most (well along with my sinuses so i'm glad that person mentioned that).. i've always had ears and nose problems as a child up until now... and i always figured that one day my doctor will tell me to get my tonsils removed.. so i was just wondering... so thanks again!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 8:13pm

I had my tonsils out 8 years ago when I was 38 (it needed to be done). I used to be a tenor, now I get to a certain point and nothing comes out. My singing voice changed overnight, to the point I stopped singing altogether.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 8:38pm

never_has_been, I just did a show with a cast member who had surgery for a problem with her sinuses (I don't know the specifics, but I know that they also fixed a deviated septum) just over a week after rehearsals began. She sounded very congested for the first few days after the surgery, but after a weekend, her voice sounded so much better than before her surgery. While her case was probably different because I think she had her surgery to get rid of a really bad infection. Whatever the case was, it definitely did not take two months for her voice to recover.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 9:16pm

My voice is much improved after my tonsils came out. It's much more open, particularly my soprano. Before, my high notes tended to have a slight edge to them because there wasn't enough room. I did lose my top note - no more singing that E flat! - but other than that I'm very pleased with the changes. My doctor's fabulous, by the way, so if anyone is interested in a good ENT let me know.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 7/30/10 at 11:36pm

i know i could just look it up on wikipedia or google... but i'll just ask it... what exactly are your tonsils and what purpose does it serve.. is it like the appendix where it's just there?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 1:32am

The tonsils are part of the immune system. In theory they are there to help catch foreign objects such as dust, bacteria, and viruses before they enter the rest of the respiratory system. It's debated amongst the medical community as to their actual importance. While you can live without them, obviously, they aren't considered vestigial like the appendix is.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 1:48am

Isn't this what happened to Julie Andrews? The dude from The Sound of Music?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 1:58am

Isn't this what happened to Julie Andrews? The dude from The Sound of Music?

No, she had throat cancer and her surgery was botched which left her unable to sing her her higher register.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 2:15am

It does affect your voice if you do the surgery on yourself.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 2:37am

Why is my satire lost on everyone?

[never_has_been]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 10:01am

I'm glad to hear she had a speedy recovery. Of course every patient is different and different surgeons will take different approaches. I suppose I should have said, one might experience difficulties when trying to sing in a head voice the few months post op. It also makes a difference which sinus cavity or cavities were reconstructed (frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid, and maxillary sinuses would present slightly different symptoms preoperatively and postoperatively.

[candydog2]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 11:03am

I don't think Julie Andrews' had throat cancer. It was either a non-cancerous polyp or nodules which she got during her run in Victor Victoria on Broadway.

But yes, like you said, it was really the surgery to remove them that damaged her voice so badly.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 6:41pm

Why is my satire lost on everyone?

You know...I just noticed your use of the word "dude" in your first post. If I had seen that I would have caught on lol

[CarHoop]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 6:56pm

i have a friend who got the tonsils removed and I dont think it affected the singing voice!

never_has_been: did you meet Beatrice Bebe Neuwirth?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 9:18pm

Im sorry if I get this thread deleted, but if intubation causes temporary vocal issues, how does being a male actor who has sex with men affect singing if for instance you are regularly sexually active and adept at your skills? (Is that politically correct enough?) Please feel free to PM me with answers. :)