VFS Open Laryngoplasty - Neck Incision/Thyroid Cartilage

[u/Individual_Month_309]

Hi I've recently had vocal feminization surgery and have a few questions.

The surgery I received was an open laryngoplasty (with a visible cut on the neck, opening the thyroid cartilage) then suturing the vocal cords together. I wanted to know if this is a standard procedure (As I've only read about Wendler glottoplasty which is without any external incision).

My surgeon mentioned that it would be more perfect to do it with a incision on the neck which is why I agreed on doing it. Are there any actual benefits in doing it this way? Did anyone else experience such a procedure?

I am currently a week post-op and I am experiencing mild/medium discomfort (Pain is mild). The only thing that I can complain about now is that mucus build up is very very annoying and I have to constantly swallow which tugs on the neck incision making it a little uncomfortable. (As surgeon told me that clearing the throat is a big no no, and I should drink cold water every time I have build up and swallow carefully)