<human>: Hi all! 

* 28
* F
* 5'6"
* 190

**The issue**: I've had a very raspy voice my whole life which leads me to believe the cyst has always been there. Since I began my new job (or perhaps starting when I had laryngitis in March 2014) I've been losing my voice much more frequently due to my travel and presenting responsibilities. I've been in voice therapy for 5 months and taking my better care of my vocal cords: 15 minute silence breaks every 2 hours, using a mic when delivering a presentation, humidifier at home and at the office, steam inhaler, throat coat tea, 10 glasses of water a day. My symptoms have improved slightly but when I do begin to experience strain/losing my voice it takes me 2-3 days to recover to where I feel normal. I still feel like I don't have the stamina I once had. My cyst and polyp have not reduced in size during this time. 

I'm at the point now where I am frustrated and need to decide whether or not to have surgery. I think I would like to have the surgery. But if you saw my vocal cords (below) and based on what I said above, **would you recommend surgery? What do you think the odds would be that my voice would get worse/not improve?** 
    
**[Take a look at my cords!] 
    
I also have a recording of me reading the rainbow passage which I can send if you comment or PM me. I also have a DVD recording (that the photos are stills from) of me singing, etc that I might try to put on youtube if that might change anything.

Can you provide a brief overview of the text?
<bot>: Been raspy all my life and have a cyst and polyp on my vocal cords. Haven't improved through therapy. Would you recommend surgery? Looking at the [pictures] do you think my voice would get worse?