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Tracheal Shave (Adam’s Apple Reduction)

Neck

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Feeling Self-Conscious About Your Adam's Apple?

A prominent Adam’s Apple can affect your confidence, making you feel self-conscious about your appearance or causing discomfort with clothing. Thankfully, there’s a solution. Adam’s Apple Reduction (Tracheal Shave) is a short, safe procedure offered by Dr. Saxon, a leading regional expert. This technique subtly reduces the prominence of your Adam’s Apple for a more harmonious look.

A prominent Adam’s Apple can affect your confidence, making you feel self-conscious about your appearance or causing discomfort with clothing. Thankfully, there’s a solution. Adam’s Apple Reduction (Tracheal Shave) is a short, safe procedure offered by Dr. Saxon, a leading regional expert. This technique subtly reduces the prominence of your Adam’s Apple for a more harmonious look.

Who Is a Candidate for Adam’s Apple Reduction Surgery?

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The thyroid cartilage, otherwise known as the Adam’s Apple, varies in size between individuals. It is usually more prominent in men since testosterone enlarges and changes the shape of the cartilage. Some women, however, have a prominent Adam’s Apple as well due to genetics, a very thin neck with little fat, or from taking testosterone. Adam’s Apple reduction surgery can be done on anyone who desires to smooth the contours of the neck.

Before & After

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Before

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After

What is an

Adam's Apple Reduction?

What to Expect

The most important reason to go to an experienced surgeon for Adam’s Apple reduction is the risk of permanently changing the voice if done incorrectly. The vocal cords are inserted within this cartilage at varying levels. Finding this insertion site is the most important part of this procedure so that the voice is preserved.

During the procedure, the Adam’s Apple is exposed, and a camera is used to visualize the vocal cords at the same time. A needle is then placed through the cartilage to precisely locate the insertion site of the vocal cords. All of the cartilage above this level can then be removed. This ensures that the bump on the neck is taken down as safely as possible without affecting the vocal cords.

All of this can be done through a small 2cm incision at the crease where the neck bends. This allows the incision to be concealed very easily while it is healing.

After Adam’s Apple reduction, the incision in the neck is closed with dissolving sutures and dermabond, so there is no incision care. There can be mild swelling and bruising, so icing is recommended. It is common to have a slightly hoarse voice for several days due to swelling around the voice box.

Adam’s Apple reduction is one of the procedures that Dr. Saxon does with the least downtime. Most patients feel well enough to go on walks and do general activities even in the first week after a tracheal shave. We advise limiting heavy lifting to minimize swelling and reduce the risk of fluid collection in the neck.

It takes about 6 months to see the final results from an Adam’s Apple reduction once the swelling has time to subside.

Adam’s Apple Reduction FAQs

Is Adam's Apple reduction surgery permanent?

Yes, the results of Adam’s Apple reduction surgery are permanent. Once the cartilage of the larynx is shaved down, it does not grow back.

Recovery time varies from person to person but generally takes about 1 to 2 weeks. Patients may experience mild discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the neck area during this time.
Although there is always a risk of voice change after Adam’s Apple reduction surgery due to the proximity of the vocal cords in the area, Dr. Saxon’s technique minimizes this risk. It is common to have temporary voice changes due to swelling around the voice box. She has never had any patients with permanent voice changes after the procedure.
While swelling and bruising may take a few weeks to subside, patients can typically see the initial results of the surgery within a few days. However, it may take several months for the full effects of the procedure to become apparent as the tissues continue to heal and settle.

Non-surgical alternatives to reduce the appearance of the Adam’s Apple, such as makeup contouring or wearing high-neck clothing, may provide temporary solutions. However, for permanent reduction, surgical intervention is typically required.

Some patients can see a small bump from the Adam’s Apple if they do not have a lot of fat in the neck to camouflage the contours of the cartilage even if it is not enlarged. Procedures such as autologous fat injection or injection of dermal fillers in the neck can be done to minimize the effects of shadows if this is the case.

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Why Choose Saxon MD?

Dr. Sarah Saxon is a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Austin and Dallas, Texas. Her patients come from all over the country to enjoy her artistic surgical experience for natural and beautiful results. She is one of the few experts in Adam’s Apple reduction and has patients from all across the country come to her for the procedure. Dr. Saxon is also asked to give lectures at national meetings, discussing her techniques with other surgeons. Schedule a consultation today to see if an Adam’s Apple reduction is for you!