Having Surgery on Thyroid Tomorrow

I recovered from the surgery just fine but I think it all depends on the attitude. I went in there thinking that I'm a badass and nothing's going to ever get me down and that's pretty much held true for me. You'll want to invest in some scarves to cover your neck protect it from sundamage while you heal. A tube of 99% natural aloe very gel to apply on the scar was also an essential of mine. I was able to turn my head enough each way to be able to drive my car on my own in less than two weeks. Taking care of your children will probably be fine but your doctor may tell you not to pick them up, which will be hard for the 1-year old.

If you have any more questions or concerns, please feel free to send me a private message and I'll answer it the best I can. Will be sending prayers your way tomorrow for a speedy recovery.

Good luck.

As a cancer survivor, myself (Hodgkins lymphoma), and having seen a few people go through Thyroid cancer, it's a very easy recovery. Hopefully your biopsy will be clear, but if not, Thyroid cancer is the MOST curable cancer with almost 95% of patients being cured at year 5.

The hardest part appears to be the restrictive diet following surgery.

Otherwise, the people I know have made quick recoveries, and the total process is only a matter of weeks.

Good luck!

I had my thyroid removed in 1999. The 'biggest' pain killer they gave me was tylenol plus. The surgery made my neck/shoulders/throat very sore. It was hard to wash my hair since I lived alone and you weren't supposed to get your scar wet! I couldn't drive for 1-2 weeks. So I had lots of friends visiting me, bringing food and helping with errands. I was out of work for 2 weeks and did half time for an additional week. My doc felt that going through possible radiation right after surgery was very difficult on the body, so he had me do a normal recovery. Then 5 months after the surgery I went off thyroid medicine and got my TSH really high. Then they did a thyroid uptake scan and found no thyroid left in my system. If they had found thyroid, they would've done a radioactive iodine protocol....but in my case I was pronounced cancer free and just had to have follow up blood work every year for the rest of my life.

It's surgery - and you will need to recover. Take your time and listen to your body. Stock up on popsicles and ice cream!

If I had to "choose" a cancer to have, it would be Thyroid. It very rarely spreads, it is easy to treat, and the cure rate is unbelieveably high. My mother went through this. The day after the surgury was not fun, but the nurses will be right there with pain management options. I think it took her a few days to feel up to speed. It may take some time to find the right level of Thryroid hormone replacement when the time comes, but once you hit the sweet spot, so to speak, you will not even notice the difference.

If you are still unsure about the procedure or what to expect, don't be affraid to call your doctor for clarification, or to ask the nurse questions at the hospital. You have the right to be fully informed and do not be affraid to ask questions.

It truly depends on the extent in which they have to remove. My husband had to have limp nodes and a mass by his clavical removed. He was very strong and determined and went back to work after 2 weeks but had driving restrictions for a month. (they also removed his jugluar so his was pretty intense)
My friend had just the thyroid removed and I believe she was off a day or two with lifting restrictions.
If it is cancer don't mess around with general doctor. contact the leading oncologist in the nation for Thyroid cancer He is in Lexington Ky and the GREATEST!!!
My husband had a gene that would inhibit the uptake of iodine and Dr. Ain has pinpointed that gene and is working on a cure.
Although it is curable in 95% of the population there is the small percentage that are not. See the specialst if it is cancer to get the optimal uptake and treatment.--low iodine diet prior to uptake etc.
Kenneth B. Ain, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
The Carmen L. Buck Chair of Oncology Research
Director, Thyroid Oncology Program
Division of Endocrinology & Molecular Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine, Room MN524
University of Kentucky Medical Center
800 Rose Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298
& Director, Thyroid Cancer Research Laboratory
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY
Telephone: ###-###-#### FAX: ###-###-####
email: ____@____.com
Best wishes
R.

I had my thyroid removed a year ago. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroid during pregnancy and had a visual node that I had known about for decades. They didn't believe it was cancerous but felt it was causing the hyperthyroidism (which didn't go away after pregnancy), which can be difficult to regulate. The surgery went smoothly, with no complications - the only problem was not being able to pick up my daughter for 14 days (difficult getting a one year old in and out of a car seat!). I have been on synthroid since that time, and have to admit, it makes me a little tired. It's been a year, and I don't have all of my energy back.

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I had a thyroid lobedectomy five years ago b/c of the same thing as you. The needle biopsy was 85% sure that it was benign, but they want to take it out to test it. They took out my right side and it was benign. The growths are VERY common. The surgery was pretty painless and my scar is barely visible. I wanted to keep half my thyroid so I wouldn't have to take synthroid. Now, five years later, I have two more growths on my remaining thyroid. I had a biopsy, they came up benign (98% sure), so we are monitoring and re-checking with an ultrasound in 6 months.

Don't worry too much. It really is a manageable surgery and, worst case, if it is cancer, it is one of the most curable ones you can get. My friend had thyroid cancer at 23, got it all removed and radiation and has been cancer free for 11 years.

Good luck tomorrow--hope all goes smoothly!
I had my entire thyroid removed in March. Right after the surgery and the next evening when I came home was when I felt the worst. While you're in the hospital take the pain medicine-I thought I felt good enough to not take the whole dose the next morning and regretted that. But after I got home I only took it before bed the first night. The first morning home felt like the WORST hangover EVER! So I stuck to tylenol for my headache after that :) After that first two days my neck was only uncomfortable, a little stiff, too. It was about 5 days before I felt pretty good and had my son home with just me. Like the other poster said-no driving, but you won't feel like you can turn your neck far enough to see properly anyway. I only had to take 1 week off work and felt fine when I went back. My scar is fading nicely-lots of sunscreen and vitamin E. If you haven't already, my husband sent me some pictures of a girl who had taken pics of her scar right after surgery, and at several month intervals so you could see how fast it faded. That made me feel better to see that. I didn't want to admit I was worried about that when there are lots of other things it feels like I should have been worried about! For me it was a pretty easy recovery.
If I left anything out that you want to know about just ask! I'm happy to answer! And good luck tomorrow! Saying a prayer for you!

I can't tell you about the recovery, but my mother had her thyroid out 30 years ago when I was one. She has never had problems since and just gets her thyroid levels checked every once in a while to adjust her medication level. Full life, she doesn't even think about it. She's 60 now and more active than anyone I know. If you are feeling tired afterward like another poster said, make sure you tell the doctor. Fatigue is a sign that you aren't getting enough thyroid medicine.

I had my a total thyroidectomy four years ago when my daughter was 8 months after being diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. The worst thing I remember was how sore my neck was for a few days. It was hard to turn or bend it very fast which drove me nuts! Just remember to take your pain meds! I was off work for 2 weeks, but I felt I could have gone back at about a week and a half. You'll have lifting restrictons for two weeks, so be sure you have help with your little one. I went through radioactive iodine therapy about 4 months after my surgery. That was hard because I had to be away from the baby so as not to contaminate her. Good luck and I'll be thinking about you!

I just had half of my thyroid removed two weeks ago, and I am feeling fine.
Take your pain meds on schedule and rest (nothing strenuous) for about a week. Shut yourself and the kids and some snacks and books and toys or movies in a room, and leave everything else alone for that week. If you have any help offered, take advantage of it. My pain was minimal, I kept the ice pack on the first couple of days. You should do fine if you don't try to do too much. Use your head and you will be back to normal in no time. I wish you the best.

My mom had something similar done last year and was surprised how easy it was. Her throat was soar for about a week. She hasn't had any complications.