Fly in for Surgery
Do you have any coordinators who can make arrangements for my medical trip to Japan? Or can you introduce one to me?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements for your travel and lodging outside the clinic here.
Can you arrange my flight ticket?
We do not offer this service at this time.
If there is no flight available on the day before my scheduled operation, can it be rescheduled?
If you need to make any changes or cancellations, please make at least 2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery date.
Admission to Our Clinic
I am worried because I do not speak Japanese.
A doctor will respond in English.
Are signs and instructions in the clinic available in English?
No. However, what you need to know will be communicated to you directly by your doctor and the staff as needed in English.
How long am I going to stay in the clinic?
Basically it is going to be a one-day surgery. Please note that vocal communication remains restricted after the discharge from the clinic for as long as three days after the operation. Communication has to be via writing messages during this time.
Do I need to arrange/bring a bedside attendant for the clinic stay?
No, you don’t.
About the Surgery
For the earliest operation available, how soon in advance can I schedule an appointment?
It depends on the vacancy in the schedule, which is constantly being updated. Please check with us through the Consultation Form.
Is the anesthesia general anesthesia?
In thyroplasty, we use local anesthesia so that we can check and adjust your voice during the operation. If you experience extreme anxiety, an anesthesiologist can administer intravenous sedation during the procedure.
Glottoplasty is performed under general anesthesia.
Who will perform my operation?
Dr. Hiroshiba, Dr. Tanabe and Dr. Takemoto are the operating doctors.
Recovery Period
How can I have follow-up checkups after the operation?
We will check with you at intervals of 1, 6 and 12 months after the operation through email and/or online connection. You can come back for a direct examination if the condition requires.
What should I be careful about after the operation?
Since you cannot speak for a week after the operation (it is called ‘silence therapy’), the most critical thing is to schedule your operation for a time when you can afford such a week.
I would like to do some sightseeing in Kyoto after the operation. Are there things that I should be careful about?
Nothing, other than refraining from speaking for seven days. That is the only major thing.
Can I have the follow-up checkups in a hospital/clinic in my country?
Taking out the stitches after a week can be done by your primary doctor. Or, if you like, we can provide a buried suture which does not need to be removed.
What is the normal length of a complete recovery?
Around 3 months.
After the Recovery Period
Are there limitations after the recovery period, such as no shouting, coughing, limited voice use due to fatigue, etc?
You should keep completely silent up to 3 days after the surgery. You should talk softly for the first month after surgery.
Are there any long term side effects from the surgery - hoarseness, high-pitched voice, swallowing difficulty, etc?
Some patients feel some hoarseness where they once spoke more easily. Few patients feel swallowing difficulties just after surgery.
How long does the scar last? Will it go away?
It depends on the type of skin. It tends to disappear more on those with darker skin.
After about a year, most people will find that the scar is no longer noticeable. However, individuals prone to keloids may experience persistent redness and swelling of the scar.
Health Insurance and Medical Expenses
Is there information regarding the cost and payment methods?
Please see Cost and Payment page for details.
Is the operation covered by my insurance? What are the conditions and terms that apply for insurance coverage?
Since it depends on your insurance provider’s policy, please ask your health insurance company to find out what is covered.
Does Type 2 thyroplasty surgery using a titanium bridge work well for patients who use their voice a lot?
Yes, most patients in vocally-intensive occupations improve enough to become comfortable in talking at work. However, some have experienced a feeling of fatigue after talking for a long time. This is observed more often in male patients, and some of them have had both ADSD and muscle tension dysphonia. Such patients need to modify their way of speaking.
So it is preferable for them, and all patients in general, to refrain from too much speaking at first, especially just after surgery. It seems that patients who slowly begin to use their voice after the operation are less likely to develop this fatigue. So again, we stress that you avoid sudden and extensive use of speech after the operation.
Others
I have pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, etc)/ I have some medication I take regularly. Can I still have the operation?
Please bring all your routine medication and consult with your doctor at the initial examination. You can also consult with us before traveling to Japan through the online web inquiry system.
Is GID (gender identity disorder) covered by my insurance?
Again, this depends on your insurance company’s policy, so please consult with them.
Can you introduce me to a medical facility in which I can get a physical GID operation - the SRS (sex reassignment surgery)?
Sorry. We do not offer this service.
Can you provide a postoperative surgery report in English for my employer? I need this to prove the success of the surgery so that I can continue working.
Yes, we can.
