Katherine Said:

Is the recovery for thyroid surgery very bad?

We Answered:

i haven't had surgery, but i do have autoimmune thyroid disease. elaine moore's website is good place to ask questions. good luck!

Grace Said:

What is thyroid surgery like and what can a candidate for the surgery expect?

We Answered:

I had a total thyroidectomy (removed my thyroid) because of cancer. The surgery was done with general anethesia. Surgery was about 1 1/2 hours long, and you wake up in a recovery room. The incision is about 4 inches and the base of your neck. That evening I was only given soft food to eat, it is mildly painful to swallow the first few days. I stayed overnight and left early afternoon the next day.

It is important to get a good doctor, the nerves to your vocal cords are near the thyroid, and some people (not me) experience hoarseness. It is extremely rare to have permanant damage.

Maybe it took 3 days or so to be swallowing pain free, and 2 weeks to have the stitches removed. Maybe 6 months to have the scar start to fade.

If you need to be on thyroid medication for the rest of your life is the toughest part of recovery. They started me and less than 1/2 my final dosage. You start off very tired. It may take 3-6 months to be properly medicated. I pushed myself back to work in less than a week, that was a big mistake. Had trouble handling the stress of work, for 2 months my routine was to go to work, and pick up dinner, and then go to bed.

It has been 3+ years now, I still do not feel like I am at 100% my energy level, plus I think it is harder for me to handle stress. It is not the surgery that is hard, it is getting used to taking hormones, and that is because I now have no thyroid.

Sylvia Said:

What can I expect after a thyroid lobectomy surgery ?

We Answered:

I had this done 3 years ago - my whole thyroid was taken out b/c unlike your situation they thought it was cancer (and turns out it was). I was in the hospital for one night. Honestly it was much better than I expected. I felt fine afterwards, not really any pain just like I had a giant lump in my throat. It was very sore to swallow for about 3 days. They offered me pain medication but I never took any since I didn't feel like I needed it.

I didn't have any voice problems and could talk right away. In about a week I was completely back to normal. Though I didn't go back to work for another week since they had told me to expect a two week recovery period.

My scar is a very thin straight line at the base of my neck, it's about 2.5 inches long. You can still see it 3 years later but I don't think it's very noticeable.

Good luck, hope it all goes well for you.

April Said:

What to expect during recovery after thyroid surgery?

We Answered:

After you have awakened from the effects of anesthesia, you will be moved to your room in the hospital. You may begin drinking liquids and then gradually resume a regular diet. While in the hospital, blood tests may be necessary to check the blood level of calcium. As you recall, the blood level of calcium is controlled by the parathyroid glands. Even though the glands are not removed, they may go into shock for a short period of time and your blood level of calcium may drop. Symptoms of low blood calcium include numbness of the fingers or lips, muscle cramps, or facial twitching. If you or your family notice these symptoms, be sure to notify your nurse. This situation is not uncommon and when it occurs, it is usually short-lived lasting from 1 to 7 days. If low blood calcium levels are confirmed by the blood tests, you will be given oral supplements (usually Tums® tablets) until the shock to the parathyroid glands passes and your blood levels of calcium return to normal. If you are sent home on oral calcium supplements and the symptoms of low blood calcium level develop again, call Dr. Alford's office and/or your endocrinologist.

If you have a thyroid lobectomy, you can expect to be discharged from the hospital the day after surgery. If you have a more extensive surgical procedure such as removal of the entire thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy) you will go home when:

1.The fluid from the drain tube has decreased to an acceptable amount
2.We are sure that your blood levels of calcium are normal

This can occur as soon as the day after surgery or may take up to 5 days - two days is about the average hospital stay. In all cases, you will only be sent home when it is safe to do so. You will stay in the hospital as long as it is medically necessary.

At Home

Eating: You may eat or drink whatever you like. Most people prefer liquids or soft foods, due to the mild sore throat which is normal for 3-7 days following surgery.
Bathing: 24 hours following the removal of the drain, you may bathe or shower normally. You do not need to keep the stitches or tapes over the stitches dry; however, when you finish bathing or showering, be sure to "pat dry" the area of surgery.
Medications: You will take an antibiotic for 5 days after surgery. This should be taken as prescribed until the entire prescription is gone. At discharge from the hospital, a prescription for pain medication will be given to you. By the second day after surgery, most people receive adequate pain relief from Tylenol®; however, if you need prescription-strength medicine to be comfortable, you should take it. If you need this prescription medicine, be sure to take it with food to prevent upset stomach. Do not take aspirin, Advil®, Motrin®, ibuprofen or NSAIDS, until after your stitches are removed (see list provided by nurse).
Driving: You may not drive for at least 1 week following surgery. This is because the muscles of the neck will be stiff and sore, which makes it difficult for you to safely look side to side or behind you while driving. You may not drive while taking prescription-strength pain medicine.
Follow-up Visits: Your first office visit will occur 7-10 day after surgery. At this time, your stitches will be removed and we will discuss the results of the pathology report (tests done on the tissue removed at the time of surgery). Your second office visit will occur approximately 1 month after surgery and will ensure that your wound is healing well and your recovery is progressing appropriately.

Valerie Said:

What does a surgery to remove the thyroid consists of, recovery time, is it an outpatient procedure?

We Answered:

I had my thyroid removed 3 weeks ago. I only just went back to work today. ( and im not a sook:)) I went in at 7am, and was in the recoverry room by 1.30pm, and was sent to my ward by 3pm. I woke to a huge sore throat and neck,and could not move very much at all. My voice is still husky, as they move your vocals cords around a bit. and I stayed in hospital for nearly 3 days so they could keep and eye on my calcium levels, as your calcium ducts are behind your thyroid gland. I did have nerve damage to the right hand side of my neck, but it is healing slowly,and I am the only one that hates my scar (either that or everyone is just being nice to me lol) The scar is only about 2 inches wide on me, and i coldnt bring myself to look at it for a few days. You will be able to move your head and drive after a few days, but do find yourself a compfy pillow as sleeping was highly uncomfortable as you dont realise how much you need to use your neck muscles in every day life. All I can suggest is ask people that have had it done. Good luck and I hope this has helped. :) Oh and I forgot to say that I am only 29 years old, so all of this CAN happen at any time of your life too.

Pearl Said:

What is the recovery for thyroid removal surgery like?

We Answered:

Men rarely ask enough questions that is why you have to go with them if you want to know anything.
He is not going to have a lot of pain. There may be some discomfort from the breathing tube and aome pain at the surgical site, but he will be given something for that and it will not last long. He will have a drain which will be removed the following day. He will need to spend the night in the hospital. Normal activity can begin on the first postoperative day. Vigorous sports and activities that include heavy lifting should be delayed for at least ten days. It takes longer to recover from a C-section. Surgery takes about 2 hours.

Sylvia Said:

What is recovery like from thyroid removal surgery due to cancerous tumor found.?

We Answered:

Like recovery from any other cancer, it will largely depend on the type of treatment you had and the relative side effects. If you had chemo, you will have to go through a complete recovery and hair growth. If you had radiation, you may have residual skin damage.
Whatever the recovery your attitude will determine if you become better for it, yes, a positive life can come out of a desperate situation. Thank God you're alive AND have your wits about you.
Best Wishes