Thyroidectomy

[GSD83]

Hi folks!

Last week I went in for my pre-op assessment for my thyroidectomy. Anyone else get it done and how are they feeling? I'm pretty nervous as it's my first time ever in surgery, thank you.

[Clutter]

Gavbkk83,

I had hemilobectomy followed by complete thyroidectomy. I felt well enough once I came round from surgery and slept it off a bit. A drain was inserted both times to reduce swelling and bruising but it was removed before discharge.

I was able to eat normally without discomfort but had got in some soft foods and soups in case of difficulty swallowing.

Healing was good and I had no complications. The hospital was generous with pain relief but I didn't need much and I was discharged with copious amounts of pain relief which I was able to stop after a few days.

[GSD83 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for your reply, I'm very grateful.

[Clutter in reply to GSD83]

Gavbkk83,

I'm sure everything will be fine but I'll wish you all the best, anyway.

[Argie1]

Hi, I had a total thyroidectomy 3 weeks ago. I too was like you, never having surgery before. I was so scared of the anaesthetic but you are asleep in no time. I had the best sleep ever! I’m not going to lie, I didn’t feel good for a couple of weeks but I think everyone is different. I read where some people returned to work after a week but there was no way I could have done that. I had a sore throat for about 10 days and felt wiped out if I did anything. I am just beginning to feel normal again, but still feel tired and my swallowing feels tight. I can already tell that my heart is so much slower, I don’t feel shaky anymore and I don’t feel wired like I did (i have Graves’ disease) which is so lovely. My scar is amazing but I am left with a very saggy neck and a bit of swelling above the scar which I’m not happy with. I’m hoping it will get better! Overall I’m glad that I’ve had it done. So far so good!

[GSD83 in reply to Argie1]

Hey there thanks for the reply, I have Graves also, I'm glad you're feeling better. I've never been put asleep so that's my biggest worry.

[arwenmark]

I had total thyroidectomy about a year and a half ago I was nervous but have had surgery before so I knew what to expect on that front. I also asked the annesthesiologist to give me Zofran for possible nausea, since I did not want to vomit after surgery, that worked very well. Neck was a little tender but I did not need the heavy meds, I also had a drain which I had out a week later in Dr. office. the scar is now completely gone. You will be just fine. By the way do they know yet whether it is cancer? Mine turned out to be.

[GSD83 in reply to arwenmark]

I've got Graves disease, thank you for the reply.

[Kell-E]

I had a total thyroidectomy in 2011. Other than a moderate sore throat and some neck swelling I felt fine and was back to a normal routine the minute I got out of the hospital. I had to stay overnight due to low calcium. (I also struggled with low calcium for a few months after) I did look like I had been attacked by a shark, but now you can barely see the scar.

As you may realize if you've done any reading here, it will be the hormone replacement that will be your biggest challenge. The surgery itself was not bad at all.