Question by Eric R: I had leukoplakia and a cyst removed from my larynx, by laser surgery. With chronic laryngitis how can I sing?
I had a poewrful singing voice before all this. The reccurrence of lesions returned twice, and biopsies were performed, confirming non-malignance. After the surgery, my hoarseness and innability to sing was restored, somewhat.
I was also diagosed with chronic larengytis. My singing voice now comes and goes (usually, I can no longer hit any high notes)
I am a smoker.
If I stop smoking, will the chronic larengytis go away? Can my singing voice ever be restored (It was not affected, whatsoever, after the first two lesion removals. As a matter of fact. At that time, my voice was better than ever. I know that my smoking is a
‘no brainer’, as to the damage and risk of reccurence of lesions (even carcinoma) that it causes, and that it certainly is affecting my ability to sing. The simple questin is, If I stop… Will I restore my ability to sing.

Best answer:

Answer by grenter
If, as you say you have been able to sing at times post-surgery, then I think with smoking cessation you have an excellent chance of regaining your voice full-time. I’m not sure about the high notes, as it sounds like you may have some scarring associated with the surgeries. Smoking is highly irritating to the whole respiratory tract, and your larynx is just reacting to the irritation. This will suck, but try to quit for a week and then see if you have some improvement. Do gentle voice warm-ups before trying to belt out opera. Best of luck on all fronts.

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