Is a thyroidectomy a major surgery?

A thyroidectomy is a treatment for a variety of conditions of the thyroid gland. A thyroidectomy is a common but major surgery with serious risks and potential complications. There may be less invasive treatment options available to you. A doctor can advise you if this is the case.


How serious is thyroid removal surgery?

If your entire thyroid is removed, your body can no longer make thyroid hormone. Without medication, you'll develop symptoms of underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). These symptoms may include dry skin, fatigue and weight gain.

Is thyroidectomy a high risk surgery?

This study confirms other data from studies of patients across the U.S. Using a large group of patient data collected over 15 years, the findings overall show that thyroid surgery is usually a safe procedure and associated with only rare complications, including death.


How long does it take to recover from a thyroidectomy?

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.

Is thyroid removal surgery painful?

Typically, there is not a lot of pain involved with thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Rarely narcotic pain medication will be required, but it will be available to you if needed. Most patients only need acetaminophen (Tylenol) for discomfort.


Thyroid Surgery & Its Risks / Complications (Thyroidectomy) (GRAPHIC)



Can you talk after thyroid surgery?

Your voice probably will be hoarse, and you may have trouble talking. For most people, these problems get better within 3 to 4 months, but it can take as long as a year. In some cases, this surgery causes permanent problems with chewing, speaking, or swallowing.

Will I gain weight after thyroid removal?

Patients with hyperthyroidism commonly experience weight gain after thyroidectomy. This occurs due to the reduction in circulating thyroid hormone, thus ameliorating the weight-lowering effects of elevated thyroid hormones (4,5).

How long is the hospital stay after thyroidectomy?

After thyroid surgery, you will probably stay in hospital for one or two nights to recover from surgery. Your neck wound will be closed with stitches, adhesive strips or small clips. Your nursing team will talk to you about how to care for your surgical wound site once you go home to prevent it becoming infected.


How long will my neck hurt after thyroidectomy?

Most often, neck stiffness lasts for only a few days to a few weeks after surgery.

How do you feel after having your thyroid removed?

Following surgery, you may experience:
  1. Voice changes, such as, a hoarse voice, difficulty in speaking loudly, voice fatigue, and a change in the tone of your voice. ...
  2. You may experience low blood calcium levels due to damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery.


What is the most common complication after thyroidectomy?

Hypocalcemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury are the two most common post-thyroidectomy complications. 4. Hypocalcemia is managed by the administration of calcium plus vitamin D.


What is the most serious complication of thyroidectomy?

Hypocalcemia was the most frequent post-thyroidectomy complication, whereas voice changes, seroma, hematoma, and tracheal injury are rare complications. Additionally, total thyroidectomy has the highest risk of postoperative hypocalcemia.

Should I be worried about a thyroidectomy?

All surgery brings risks for complications like bleeding and infection. Thyroid surgery can also involve risks for impairment to vocal cord nerves, which could cause hoarseness, and impairment to your parathyroid glands, which are located behind and very close to your thyroid and regulate your body's calcium levels.

Are you awake for thyroid surgery?

Most thyroidectomies are performed under general anesthesia, meaning you are asleep and pain-free during the procedure. The surgeon makes a small incision in the skin of the neck as close to a natural crease as possible to reduce the appearance of the scar.


How long do I need to sleep elevated after thyroidectomy?

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.

What is the fastest way to recover from thyroid surgery?

Follow your doctor's orders and listen to your body. It is normal to fatigue more easily after a surgical procedure. Walking is a low impact exercise to keep you active and speed up recovery, while gentle neck exercises and stretches can help to prevent neck stiffness or soreness.

Is it OK to cough after thyroidectomy?

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.


Do you go to ICU after thyroid surgery?

Background: Routine admission of all post-thyroidectomy patients into intensive care unit (ICU) within the first 24-48 hours is advocated and practised in some hospitals.

Can you drink alcohol after thyroidectomy?

Your throat may feel sore after the surgery. Eat a light meal and drink plenty of water for 1 or 2 days after your surgery. You may eat what you normally eat at home once you are feeling better. Do not drink alcohol for 48 hours after surgery or until you have stopped taking your prescription pain medicine.

How long after thyroidectomy can I drive?

Most patients are able to return to work within the first week. You will be able to drive as soon as you can turn your head comfortably, for your own safety while driving. Your surgeon will ask you not to soak in a hot bathtub or go swimming for 1 week after the surgery.


What should you not do before thyroid surgery?

As a general rule, do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before, and arrive at least two hours before your scheduled surgery. Most often you can take your routine medications with a sip of water. Medication guidelines prior to surgery will be discussed at your pre-operative visit.

Does getting your thyroid removed change your voice?

Thyroidectomy can drastically change the voice because of this organ's proximity to nerves that control the vocal folds. These nerves must be carefully preserved by surgeons in order to preserve normal function of the larynx.

What size thyroid nodule should be removed?

Any nodule that is 4 cm or larger should be removed with thyroid nodule surgery. Thyroid surgery is also very frequently needed for nodules that have atypical or suspicious cells on biopsy. This allows for a definitive diagnosis and cure.


Do you spend the night in the hospital after thyroidectomy?

General anesthesia is used during a thyroidectomy, and you'll usually stay in the hospital for one night following the procedure. After your procedure, you will need to take thyroid hormone for the rest of your life, because your thyroid gland will no longer supply you with the necessary hormone.

What is the success rate of thyroidectomy?

In the low-risk patients, 10-year survival after total thyroidectomy was 89%, compared with 91% after partial thyroidectomy (adjusted hazard ratio for death, 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.33; P < .
Previous question
Does Death Valley get snow?