What to Expect From Thyroid Surgery Recovery

Thyroid surgery, also known as a thyroidectomy, is when you surgically remove all or part of your thyroid. The thyroid is a gland at the back of your neck that releases important hormones related to metabolism, weight, and more.

However, the thyroid can develop nodules and goiters or become cancerous and start doing more harm than good. You can also develop a condition where your thyroid is overactive and releases too many hormones. When this happens, you will need to undergo thyroid surgery.

Types of Thyroid Surgery

Depending on your condition and how serious it is, there are several different surgical options if you need thyroid surgery. Each one, however, will involve a small incision in your neck to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.

• Thyroid Lobectomy
  Your thyroid gland is divided into two sections or lobes and is similar to the shape of a butterfly. If you only have issues on one side of the thyroid, you will need a thyroid lobectomy where only the damaged lobe gets removed.
• Total Thyroidectomy
  If your entire thyroid gland is compromised, you will need a total thyroidectomy, where 100% of your thyroid gland gets removed.

Total thyroidectomies are usually necessary if you have thyroid cancer or if there’s damage to both lobes of the thyroid.

• Subtotal Thyroidectomy
  You can also opt for a subtotal thyroidectomy, where most of your thyroid gland is removed save for a tiny amount of tissue. As long as you have 4-8 g of thyroid tissue, you may not need hormone replacement therapy.

What to Expect Immediately After Thyroid Surgery

The length and difficulty of your recovery will depend partially on the type of thyroid surgery you require. In most cases, however, it will take several weeks to recover fully, and many people will require ongoing care and therapy.

Post-Surgery: In the Recovery Room

Regardless of what type of thyroid surgery you receive, you’ll get put under anesthesia and be put to sleep. Most thyroid surgeries take two to three hours, depending on how much of the thyroid gets removed. You’ll feel dizzy and disoriented when you first wake up following your surgery and have neck pain and hoarseness.
Depending on your procedure, you might also need a drain installed under your point of incision to keep the wound from getting infected.

Pain Management Post-Surgery

The pain following thyroid surgery isn’t as severe as many other procedures, but it can still be uncomfortable and debilitating. Once your pain medications wear off from the surgery, you can take NSAIDs or Tylenol for pain management. In serious cases, you might also receive prescription medications, such as Percocet.

Potential Risks and Complications

As with any type of surgery, there are risks and complications associated with thyroid surgery, including the following.

• Bleeding
• Infection at the incision site
• Low hormone production of the thyroid

• Damage to the vocal cords
• Damage to the nearby parathyroid glands

The Recovery Timeline for Thyroid Surgery

Most people completely recover from thyroid surgery within two weeks of the operation.

The Initial Recovery Phase

Depending on the success of your surgery, you can go home on the same day of the procedure. However, most people are hospitalized overnight for monitoring and recovery and go home the next day.

You’ll likely have neck pain, stiffness, and discomfort following surgery. To keep your pain under control and avoid complications, you shouldn’t exercise excessively or lift anything heavier than 10 to 15 pounds for two weeks. You should also avoid eating solid foods for one day, which could irritate or damage your neck.

The Intermediate Recovery Phase

After 24 hours, you can return to a regular diet, but you should hold off on washing or scrubbing your incision site for several days. You will likely set up a follow-up appointment with your doctor before leaving the hospital and be given a special set of instructions to follow.

Long-term Recovery and Outlook

Your long-term recovery and outlook depend on how much of your thyroid gland was removed. You can live a long and full life either way, but you’ll need more ongoing care if you undergo a total thyroidectomy.

Post-Surgery Care and Rehabilitation

To make a full and lasting recovery, taking care of your post-surgery needs is essential and includes the following.

• Carefully cleaning your wound to prevent infection
• Avoiding physical activity, aside from walking, for at least two weeks
• Receiving IV therapy if it’s too painful to drink or eat
• IV therapy can also supplement necessary hormones and minerals needed for recovery

Managing Your Health After Thyroid Surgery

The biggest adjustment people must make following thyroid surgery is hormone replacement therapy. With a complete thyroidectomy, you must undergo hormone replacement therapy to compensate for the missing hormones.

Hormone replacement therapy is a lifelong process, and you would benefit from investing in concierge home health care to assist you during your recovery.

Thyroid surgery can also decrease your calcium and Vitamin D levels, so you may need to take supplements following surgery. Setting up follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor these levels and ensure you’re getting enough nutrition in your diet is essential.

Navigating Daily Life During Recovery

While you’ll have physical limitations and pain following your surgery, you can return to work within two to three weeks post-op. A sore throat and coughing may persist for up to five days after thyroid surgery, and you should avoid showering for at least 24 hours. Due to physical limitations, it’s important to have assistance for the first few weeks following surgery.

Coping with Potential Setbacks

Most people make a full and lasting recovery from thyroid surgery. However, it’s important to look for potential signs of complications related to your surgery. You should call your doctor immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.

• Swelling or bleeding at your incision
• A high fever
• You can’t swallow

• Inflammation or redness at your incision
• Swelling in the neck that doesn’t go away

Summary

The biggest obstacle that people face following thyroid surgery is if they require hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy is necessary when all or too much of your thyroid gland gets removed, and it can no longer perform its hormonal functions.

In addition to hormone replacement therapy, taking care of your incision site and nutritional needs following thyroid surgery is essential. It’s easy to get down during the recovery period, so keeping a positive attitude and limiting your physical activity is important.

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