Swollen & sore neck after thyroidectomy

[PozzyG]

Hi Everyone, I had a thyroidectomy three weeks ago. My wound is healing well but my whole neck is still very swollen and sore. I also have very lumpy lymph nodes above my wound. Can anyone tell me if this normal please?

[Cavapoochonowner]

Hello PozzyG,I had a thyroidectomy last June and would say that it's early days in your healing process.Obviously everyone heals in their own time too.I remember a part of my scar feeling sore for months, not weeks.I have documented my thyroidectomy on my profile if you care to look.I have tried to keep it upto date,if you just skip to the thyroidectomy part if you don't want to read it all.I would say it sounds very normal to me after such a big operation but if you want reassurance, I would say to contact your surgeon's secretary with your worries.Have you got your post-operative appointment through yet? When mine came through it was exactly 6 weeks to the day after my operation. You will also be able to get reassurance at this appointment if you prefer to wait.Wishing you luck and a speedy recovery.

[PozzyG in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Hi Cavapoochonowner, thanks for your reply. I think I'm expecting miracles at this early stage - I just want to feel normal again!

[Cavapoochonowner in reply to PozzyG]

Hello again,Yes it's understandable that you want to get back to normal.I think I was in shock for a while after mine,and just went through the motions on a daily basis.I was kind to myself and just took care if the things I could control.I tried to eat well,rest as much as possible,and gradually became more active,doing things around the house,walking our dog etc.I think the neck is such a sensitive place as well,the skin is so thin it does take time to heal.I would reiterate what someone else said too.If you are at all worried,contact your surgeon through his secretary,or I think I was given the hospital ward number on discharge in case of problems.Wishing you all the best.

[Didntexpectthis]

Hi,

I had one and neck dissection May 2022 due to thyroid cancer. It does take a little while to go down but mine has healed well - I was surprised by the swelling but that did subside. You should get a check up with your surgeon/consultant soon so make sure you raise there or as advised contact sooner with concerns via their secretary.

I am quite squeamish so didn’t want to look at my scar ( terrified of all things to do with blood - irrational I know) and I didn’t want to touch it. I got some saline water from my pharmacist for cleaning and then used a silicon gel on my scar ( bigger than a thyroidectomy one) and it worked really well £40-45 from my chemist began with D. NHS wouldn’t fund but I would highly recommend. Think it is Dermatix - I asked my pharmacist.

Good luck

[annnsandell]

It is early days but often remarkable how quickly we heal. I assume you have an early follow up appointment with the surgeon. If you are worried, ask at your local GP's for a nurse appointment. Do they have to take out your stitches?

[Batty1]

Go back to the doctors and have it looked at …swollen nodes could indicate infection.