Has anyone had surgery to remove scar tissue?

Very good news to hear. Sorry it took so long but at least brighter days ahead. You are a good example of someone taking charge and seeking the results you needed.

I haven’t commented for a while but I wanted to update everyone after almost 4 years in a trachea- no voice for 3 years - remission for 3.5 years from stage 4 laryngeal cancer with radiation and chemo therapy. I am free of the trachea- I am able to talk normal again - I am able to eat normally again. It’s been a miracle- I found the right Drs and they do this all day everyday. I was at the point of giving in to a laryngectomy- I was in pain unable to sleep - unable to talk living in isolation from friends and family but I wanted another opinion. I went to NYU Langone Otolaryngology Assoc - cancer center then worked with the Speach center. I started with Dr Jacobson who referred me to Dr Amin who specializes in Vocal Cords - my first surgery I had 3 surgeons but it works - I had Dr Jacobson - Dr Cosby - Dr Amin - it went on from there - that first surgery was to see what was possible that was in Feb and now in September it looks like I have made it through and it’s a miracle.

Here is an image of one. Yes, it just presses right on the opening (is that the stoma?!!)
Like the inner canula, it does hinder breathing, but not as bad as the canula.
When the air is dry, I put one on at bedtime. Usually, around 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m., I remove it. At that point, the humidity is created will cause the mucus to greatly loosen for an easy expel. That is good, because at that time of night, who wants to be cleaning out a tube?
Let me know how it works out for you if you decide to get some.

@imaginus, you are in my thoughts for a positive outcome. There is so much mucus on a constant basis inside my trach tube, that very little debris gets through. That inner canula was supposed to be there to catch the mucus to prevent clogs (they told me), yet it did the exact opposite. It clogged up all the time making it almost impossible to breathe. So no, I don't wear it, going on years now without incident. The suction machine was a pain, so my ENT showed me how to remove the tube to clean it. He said to me in a surprised tone, "You brush your teeth twice a day, so why wouldn't you clean the tube?" He is a gem! To each his own...It sounds like you may progress to having the tube removed. I am rooting for you. Oh yeah...the HME is like a mini humidifier/filter in itself. Does wonders with an electric bill.

@imaginus, you are in my thoughts for a positive outcome. There is so much mucus on a constant basis inside my trach tube, that very little debris gets through. That inner canula was supposed to be there to catch the mucus to prevent clogs (they told me), yet it did the exact opposite. It clogged up all the time making it almost impossible to breathe. So no, I don't wear it, going on years now without incident. The suction machine was a pain, so my ENT showed me how to remove the tube to clean it. He said to me in a surprised tone, "You brush your teeth twice a day, so why wouldn't you clean the tube?" He is a gem! To each his own...It sounds like you may progress to having the tube removed. I am rooting for you. Oh yeah...the HME is like a mini humidifier/filter in itself. Does wonders with an electric bill.

Funny...no one ever mentioned HME to me. I want to atv again, but I'm worried about dust and dirt getting in the damn thing.

I can breath through my nose, but with some restriction. Am hoping it can improve.

imaginus, if you can cover the opening of the trach and still be able to draw in air, then you don't need the tube, right? Mine has been with me now for a few years, so I have grown used to having a trach. I do not wear an inner cannula, (makes it hard to breathe) and don't use a humidifier. Also, I remove the tube about four times a day to clean. That process doesn't have to be as complicated as the professionals say...I don't put gloves on, or any of that. I rinse it under hot water while cleaning it out with trach brush. Then pour some peroxide on and in the tube, rinse again with sterile water, and it is done. Takes about one minute...When I mow the lawn, I wear an HME, but other than that, it is open. Our situations are probably very different. If the opening to the trach is closed, I cannot breathe, as the vocal cords are blocking the airflow. I hope your situation improves, or you can have it removed. As for the after-effects of the radiation, you are so right. It should not affect everyone in a different way so dramatically. It doesn't really make sense. The redlight therapy is supposedly helpful to radiated tissue, and I did utilize a wand several times a day during and after radiation. Did it help? I do not know for sure. I DO know that being able to eat and drink is a blessing. Take Care.