Total Thyroidectomy Recovery Time

On 4/13/2008 Sterling wrote:

What is the recovery time for a total thyroidectomy?

I had my TT on June 27, 2007 and was at a graduation open house on June 30. 

I had to stay in the hospital until the 29th due to low calcium levels, but they did come up on their own.  The incision site was not sore, but I did find my neck muscles would get sore after holding my head up for a long time without leaning back on a chair or something... 

Right after the surgery, in the hospital, I think the hardest part was to eat because my throat was sore from the tube during surgery.  I also hated the legging things they put on my legs to be sure I wouldn't get blood clots.  They were just irritating...  I did get sick the first time I got up to use the bathroom, didn't expect that...

All in all, the recovery isn't too bad. 

Good luck.

I had my TT surgery six years ago. It knocked me flat for about two weeks. My recovery was veeeerrrrrry long, but my endo didn't see me for three months and I was on a base dose of levoxyl, one-half of what I currently take.

I had problems with calcium for about 4 days--I was at home, but eating high-calcium Tums every few hours on doctor's orders.

 And my vocal chords were slightly nicked; I had a very high, squeaky voice for about six weeks.

 I would say it all depends on you.  I felt OK a week later.  You will still be tender for a while, of course.  It's not that bad.  

 I had a radical neck dissection 01/08 and recovery time was the same, too.  I am only now starting to get feeling back in my neck and ear.