A five-minute addition to a longer surgery, or a standalone half-hour procedure on its own — Adam’s apple reduction is one of the shortest operations in facial and neck surgery, and its price reflects exactly that.
What Adam’s apple reduction costs
| Scenario | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Standalone tracheal shave | $3,000–$6,500 |
| Combined with facial feminization surgery | +$1,500–$3,000 |
| Combined with neck lift/platysmaplasty | +$1,000–$2,500 |
| Revision procedure | $2,000–$4,500 |
What actually happens during the procedure
Chondrolaryngoplasty involves a small incision, usually placed in a natural neck crease or under the chin to minimize visible scarring, through which the surgeon shaves down the thyroid cartilage — the structure that creates the visible prominence commonly called the Adam’s apple. The procedure typically takes 30–60 minutes as a standalone surgery and can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the surgeon’s preference and whether it’s combined with other procedures.
Because the vocal cords attach to the thyroid cartilage at a specific point, a surgeon experienced in this exact procedure removes cartilage carefully above that attachment point, minimizing any risk to voice quality while still meaningfully reducing the visible prominence.
Why it’s so often bundled with other procedures
Given how quick the procedure itself is, many patients undergoing facial feminization surgery, neck lift, or platysmaplasty add tracheal shave to the same operative session. Because anesthesia and facility fees are already being incurred for the primary procedure, the marginal cost of adding a tracheal shave is considerably lower than its standalone price — often just $1,500–$3,000 versus $3,000–$6,500 alone.
An experienced surgeon places the incision either directly in an existing neck crease or in the shadow just under the chin, both of which conceal the resulting scar remarkably well once healed — often nearly invisible after several months. Ask to see healed results specifically from tracheal shave patients, not just general neck surgery patients, since incision placement technique varies meaningfully between surgeons.
What determines your specific price
Whether it’s standalone or combined. As covered above, this is the single biggest cost lever.
Surgeon specialization. Surgeons who perform this procedure frequently as part of a gender-affirming surgery practice, or facial plastic surgeons with specific neck expertise, may charge differently than a general cosmetic surgeon occasionally offering it.
Anesthesia type. Local anesthesia with sedation is typically less expensive than general anesthesia, and many standalone tracheal shaves can be performed safely under the former.
Recovery, realistically
Expect moderate throat soreness and difficulty swallowing for about a week, comparable to a significant sore throat, along with visible neck swelling that improves substantially within 2–3 weeks. Most patients return to non-strenuous work within 5–7 days, though public speaking or vocally demanding jobs may warrant a slightly longer recovery window to ensure any temporary swelling has resolved before resuming full vocal activity.
Choose a surgeon with specific, demonstrated experience in tracheal shave — not simply general ENT or plastic surgery training. Overly aggressive cartilage removal, or removal too close to the vocal cord attachment, carries a real though uncommon risk of voice changes that can be difficult to fully reverse. This is a procedure where experience with this exact operation matters more than general surgical credentials.
Bottom line
Adam’s apple reduction costs $3,000–$6,500 as a standalone procedure, or considerably less — often $1,500–$3,000 — when combined with facial feminization surgery or a neck lift you’re already planning. It’s one of the shortest procedures in facial surgery, but surgeon-specific experience with this exact operation matters more to your outcome than the price difference between providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adam's apple reduction, medically called chondrolaryngoplasty or tracheal shave, typically costs $3,000–$6,500 as a standalone procedure, including surgeon fee, anesthesia, and facility costs. It's frequently combined with other facial or neck procedures, which can reduce the per-procedure cost.
Most patients report moderate throat soreness and difficulty swallowing for 5–7 days, similar to a bad sore throat, managed with pain medication and a soft food diet. Swelling around the neck typically resolves within 2–3 weeks, and most patients return to work within a week, though voice changes are rare but should be discussed with your surgeon beforehand.
When performed correctly by an experienced surgeon, tracheal shave has a low risk of voice changes because a skilled surgeon removes cartilage above the vocal cords without disturbing the vocal cord attachment itself. However, overly aggressive cartilage removal can theoretically affect voice pitch or quality, which is why surgeon experience specifically with this procedure matters more than price when choosing a provider.