The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes 90 minutes to 2 hours. Your surgeon will make a cut on your neck in the line of one of your skin creases. Your surgeon will remove the thyroid gland.
A thyroidectomy is traditionally a minimally invasive surgery performed through a small horizontal incision in the front of the neck. The entire thyroid gland may be removed or just a single lobe, a portion of a lobe and the isthmus or other structures.
Most people are ready to return home within one day of surgery, but take off about two weeks from work to recover. You'll need to refrain from heavy lifting or other tasks that can strain your neck for up to three weeks after your surgery.
You may have some trouble chewing and swallowing after you go home. Your voice probably will be hoarse, and you may have trouble talking.
Every surgery places stress on the body and although thyroidectomies cause minimal pain and are usually a quick recovery, it is important to take recovery seriously. You may experience a sore throat, hoarseness, neck pain, or difficulty swallowing, but these symptoms are usually temporary.
Yes, some people will see their weight slightly increase, but weight may remain unchanged, or you may even lose weight. Unusual changes in your weight can occur after surgery if you are on the incorrect dose of thyroid hormone replacement medication.
The majority of the studies indicate a net increase in weight following total thyroidectomy, with the greater gain occurring within the first 2 years following surgery.
There are no restrictions on what you may eat or drink after surgery. Some people experience a sore throat and prefer soft foods for a few days. It is recommended that you avoid heavy, greasy or spicy meals for the first few days.
You can eat whatever you like after surgery. Try to eat healthy foods. You may find it hard to swallow at first.
Returning to Work and Driving: Patients typically take between 5 – 7 days off work following thyroid surgery. Most patients feel back to “normal” by two weeks after surgery. You may drive once you are no longer taking narcotic pain medications and feel comfortable turning your neck, usually about 3 days.
Head of Bed: Please elevate the head of your bed 30-45 degrees or sleep in a recliner at 30-45 degrees for the first 3-4 days to decrease swelling. The skin above the incision may look swollen after lying down for a few hours.
Your throat may be sore due to the breathing tube your healthcare team placed during the surgery. You may also have a small tube (catheter) in your incision to help drain blood and other fluids that build up. Your surgeon will remove the drain one or two days after the surgery.
Thyroid surgery is rarely urgent. It is therefore possible to choose the date and place of the operation.
Side effects of thyroid removal are hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone), low calcium, tremor and spasms. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located below the Adam's apple in the lower part of the neck and wraps around the windpipe (trachea).
Maintaining a well-balanced diet consisting of dark leafy greens, lean meats, fresh seafood, low-sugar fruit, and dairy alternatives that are low in simple carbohydrates and refined sugars. This will help prevent insulin resistance and further weight gain.
The risk for developing a depression is increased around the time of having thyroid surgery, regardless of the extent of thyroid surgery. The risk can persist up to one year after a patient has a total thyroidectomy. This is important to increase awareness of physicians and patients to identify and treat this illness.
Thyroid surgery is a major operation. Most people recover in a few weeks, but the recovery time may take longer for some people. If you are worried about anything, let your doctor or nurse know. They will be happy to answer any questions.
Recovery. Most patients will be eating, drinking, and walking around the night of their surgery. Typically, there is not a lot of pain involved with thyroid and parathyroid surgery.
You may shower at any time but no bathing until 2 weeks after surgery. When you shower, you can get the clear plastic bandage wet (it is water-proof) or wash over the paper tapes with soap and water (they can get wet). Do not remove the small pieces of tape by yourself – they will fall off on their own in 5 to 7 days.
After Thyroidectomy Surgery Care. Wound care: Your wound is covered with Steri Strips. Steri Strips are thin adhesive strips which are placed over an incision to help it heal. Keep the Steri Strips dry for the first 24 hours; then you may gently cleanse the area daily with mild soap and water.
It is recommended to avoid excessive coughing or throat clearing as these activities put extra strain on the neck and may increase the risk of bleeding. The feeling of something in the throat should clear on its own in several days time. Some patients experience temporary hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.
Levothyroxine (e.g. Synthroid, L-thyroxine)
If your whole thyroid gland is removed (total thyroidectomy), you will need to take a small pill to replace the thyroid hormone once a day for the rest of your life.
After any operation, your body is using a lot of energy to heal itself, so you will feel more tired than normal. With a thyroid operation, there is another reason for tiredness. The thyroid produces hormones which control the speed at which your body works.
When you start taking thyroid medication like levothyroxine, don't expect instant weight loss. The first barrier is getting the right dose of thyroid medication. Once you have reached your ideal dose, you may notice some weight loss after around three to six months of continuous use.