Time off Work after Thyroid op.

[ThyroidHell]

Hi all

I was wondering how much time off is given from work after the operation? My op date is 24/6

[nightingale-56]

I was told (34 years ago) to have three weeks absolute rest afterwards, one week of which was in hospital afterwards. I got 3 days. Mother-in-law was staying, supposedly to look after 15 month old baby while I was in hospital as husband said he couldn't manage. Consequently I ended up looking after her as well when I got home - could have done without that. Still I did get 3 days bed-rest in hospital before the op, but when I came out it was to find that my baby was in another nearby hospital because he had refused to eat while I was having op, so neither of them could look after one small baby between them.

Wish you good luck with your op and remember to rest plenty afterwards. Don't think you will get the 3 days rest beforehand though. Janet.

[Chester2 in reply to nightingale-56]

I hope it goes well, I'm having a thyroidectomy soon so would like some fedback! Good luck.

Suzanne

[lynnp in reply to nightingale-56]

Hi,,

My op is June 5th. I was told by the surgeon I would be off work for about 10 days. If all goes well I'm hoping to be back before that.

Hope all goes well.

Lynn

[ThyroidHell]

Thanks for the reply :o)

[Moggie]

Apparently it can take a thyroid patient a lot longer to recover from any surgery compared to a non thyroid patient - this piece of info was from my anesthetist, so I would think its a wait and see with the advise of not trying and rush things.

Moggie x

[ThyroidHell in reply to Moggie]

Thanks for your reply :o)

[Moggie in reply to ThyroidHell]

Hope all goes well.

Moggie x

[juliaheppers]

I had radio iodine to ablate my thyroid and had to be away from work husband child etc due to radiation for 3 weeks

My point is that I had regular meetings with my employers to tell them exactly what was going on before this so they would understand and kept on having meetings following return to work

My friend had 2 weeks after a op on her throat - I think it depends on the individual and what you are doing at work

You need to communicate with employers and hospital you need to have these questions asked before your op

Can't quite believe that the hospital haven't given u any information regarding this - however my experience is that if you do not ask the questions u don't get the information

You are quite within your rights to ask hospital questions and then you can talk to your employers this will probably help you to recover better too

Make list of questions for the hospital/op then ask for a meeting at work then you will feel sooooo much better

This is what I did and they paid me too

Good luck

Julia xxx

[ThyroidHell in reply to juliaheppers]

Hi Julia

I have told my employer about the forthcoming op and it has been approved with full pay. I agree that it is odd they don't discuss about the length of the sick leaves. This surgeon actually wanted to 'put me off ' for this operation . It was confirmed that I have quite few nodules in my thyroid and the biggest is 3cm ..I have already had the operation in 1983 and my right thyroid was removed then. So he says ..' hmm what now , we could have another scan in 6 months time' I asked ( knowing this already ) ' Are the nodules going to go away then' ? He said ' No' I told him is there any point then to wait longer and get more uncomfortable with strangly feelings and delay the whole process for at least for another year and then some? He obviously had to agree ..what an odd thing to suggest , was he trying to put me off because the long waiting lists etc. I was sheeting with anger in the carpark after this !

[juliaheppers in reply to ThyroidHell]

Unfortunately my experience also is that these people who are caring for us have lost how to talk to people properly, in a caring way and unfortunately we are seen as statistics and not human beings and individuals -

I really hope it goes well and you get the rest afterwards

It would be so much better for all of us were given the support and information we need as individuals - leaflets aren't really the best support are they it goes such a long way for them to reassure and support but I don't think they have enough time which is very wrong

Take care

Julia xxx

[ThyroidHell]

Thanks Julia :o) xxx

[2ndtimeround]

My surgeon tried to put me off having the op but the nodules don't just go away. I had a sub total thyroidectomy 18 years ago I was off work about 8 week's with a week's stay in hospital. Last Tuesday I had a further op to remove 2 nodules on the rhs I left hospital the next day with a weeks sick line to be honest I questioned it all but by last Friday I drove the car I am shattered and my wound is still quiet swollen so not going back to work yet. Everybody mends at different rates but I honestly didn't think I'd feel as good as I do.

Good luck with the op and take the time you need to recover xx

[ThyroidHell in reply to 2ndtimeround]

Thanks , Hope you'll continue to feel better.

[Hidden]

I was told 2 weeks and had a 'sick note' for 2 weeks (actually I went back a day early and noticed my records were wrong - but you're not insured apparently!)

Overnight stay, long stitch (with beads) out after 10 days - Vaseline & then bio-oil for scar.

Given an info leaflet, well that was the procedure 2 years ago anyway. J :v

[ThyroidHell]

Oh yes , if you go back to work they'll probably send you back home because the insurance.

[Mumtoboy]

I had 2 weeks off. Guess it depends on your job and how your recovery goes. Don't rush it!

[Thyroidmeg]

I had a tt and had 4 weeks off work

[helen0812]

Hi, I had a total thyroidectomy due to Hashimotos Disease in Jan 2012. It was the best thing I've ever done! I had staples to help heal quickly and had my op on Wednesday and staples out on Monday. I felt drained but well. I stayed off work for two weeks and to be honest one week would have been sufficient but I thought - what the hell! My scar is barely visible as I had a great surgeon and he cut in a skin crease. I would recommend anyone to have the op if necessary - you will notice a difference in a few days, I still have to take thyroxine but my symptoms have lessened considerably. I wish you well. Please do not hesitate to contact me to answer any questions you may have x

[ThyroidHell]

Hi Helen , its actually fantastic to hear a success story for a change. I am looking forward to NOT to have the strangulation feeling in mt throat anymore. I do know whats in store though as I had this op 30 years ago when the left thyroid was taken out and now its the right sides turn. I am anxious that they give me the right medication as reading these comments here is quite soul destroying :o( Glad all went well for you !