About to have surgery

Hello,

I am new to this board and happy to have this resource. Thank you for all your postings. Reading has been a big help. My information thus far has been from the medical community. It is helpful and comforting  learning from  the end user so to speak.

I was recently diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer and will have surgery in about 10 days. They plan to do a total thyroidectomy. I am interested in hearing how this surgery was for people. I want to know what I will feel like post op,recovery time and how much time people took off from work. This is freaking me out. What was the pain level like, and what is eating post surgery like? Appreciate everyone’s help.

It's not a bad surgery at all.  I had a few complications but I think I am about the only one.  Normally you'll be in the hospital for about two days.  Had I not had any complications, they brought me a sandwich the very next day expecting me to eat.  I was on liquids a little longer than others because of some swelling.  I was eating normally within 2 weeks.  Most everyone else was within days.

The pain is not that bad at all.  I would recommend that as soon as the doctor allows, lubricate the scar and exercise your neck.  The one complaint I heard from some was lack of total mobility after surgery.  I di neck stretching exercises as soon as it was comfortable to do so and have zero problems now two years later.

You will do just fine.  Make sure your surgeon has a lot of experience with thyroidectomies.  Many haven't.

Keep asking questions!

I had a total thyroidectomy almost 19 years ago and have never had an issue.  I also had all my lymphnodes removed on the one side of my neck as well.  I was tired for the first 2-3 months after surgery until they got me on some what of a regular dosage of synthroid but other than that no issues.  I was out of work about 6 weeks if I remember correctly, may have been less than that but nothing more.  I have a high tolerance for pain, but really don't recall much pain at all.  Foods weren't an issue, just try to stay to a healthier diet, no big carb overloads.  Every doctor is different though, but you'll be fine.

Best of wishes for a speedy recovery !

Karen

Thanks Karen and Dinparadise. Hearing two people say that the surgery is not bad is helpful.

Ann

Not bad at all.  I had a TT with a complication, but I would say the only pain was from being intubated...thats it!  Please make sure you have a great surgeon!  Be well.

Not so bad...I had some discomfort and took pain meds in the hospital, but needed nothing for pain past the first night. I spent 1 night in the hospital and could not wait to get home. My calcium level and parathyroid glands were ok.

Pain was minimal as long as I did not move the wrong way. Leaning back to lay down or watch tv...just needed to support my head for a few days by reaching my hand to hold my head while getting into position. I ate soft foods for the first couple days, my neck was sore to swallow. I was on normal foods within a couple days. I drove after about 5 days, but just to the corner store and as long as I did not turn my head to go into reverse (I parked in spots where I could pull through). I took almost 2 weeks off work, but could have worked from home online if needed, as I was not on pain meds.

I remember that I had a cough before surgery, and admittedly, coughing after surgery did hurt. But all in all, it was a pretty easy surgery to have. I comforted myself by reminding myself of all the people I knew who'd been through it and none had any complications.

Hi!  Acknowledging the fact everyone is different, you'll find the vast majority of people posting on this site, who've gone before you, will say the surgery was the easiest part!  I had little if any pain at all....went home on tylenol!  (Surgery on Thursday...back at work Tues...but I fly a desk...so if you have a physical kind of job, it would make a difference).  My neck was a little stiff, the surgical site a little tender, throat a little scratchy and "thick"--like with a cold, and pretty tired!  But that was it!  Were it not for an issue with a calcium drop after the surgery, I could have almost done this as an out patient surgery.

Good luck....don't stress over this too much...its pretty easy!           SUE

Thanks Sue, it helped hearing your story. I had my pre op exam this morning. They also felt it would be easy surgery.

Ann

well, it is the only surgery I have had so I don't have much to compare, but it was pretty easy for me.  No complications and no dissections required.  I have some back/neck problems and mentioned it to the surgeon and he positioned my neck in such a way that I felt better after the surgery!  Normal food the next day, back at work the follwing week (substitute teacher, nothing too strenuous)....hope all goes as well for you 

best wishes

On Oct 29, 2009 9:09 PM Darkhorse1 wrote:

Hello,

 

I am new to this board and happy to have this resource. Thank you for all your postings. Reading has been a big help. My information thus far has been from the medical community. It is helpful and comforting  learning from  the end user so to speak.

 

I was recently diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer and will have surgery in about 10 days. They plan to do a total thyroidectomy. I am interested in hearing how this surgery was for people. I want to know what I will feel like post op,recovery time and how much time people took off from work. This is freaking me out. What was the pain level like, and what is eating post surgery like? Appreciate everyone’s help.

Hi, and welcome to the board!

I'd classify the surgery/recovery as pretty easy.  (Mine was a thyroidectomy and some lymph node removal--my surgery was a little longer, about 3 hours, because it started as just a biopsy).  Make sure you have a good surgeon, who has done lots of these.

 It was my first surgery, so I also don't have a lot to compare it to. Stayed one night in the hospital, surgery at 7 am, on my way home around noon the next day.  I was off of work for about 2 weeks, until I was cleared to drive, but I have a long commute with freeway driving.  No heavy (or even medium) lifting for a bit.

Here's what I remember that might be helpful:

--I remember being a little nauseous afterwards, and had to ask the guy wheeling me to my room to slow down.  Had someone bring me some gingerale & saltines to help settle my stomach (hospital didn't have any).  My guess is this was from the anesthesia. It passed pretty quickly.  I was a little out of it for about an hour--groggy/silly.

--I was up walking around (though slowly and not very far) about an hour after getting out of the recovery room.  I had visitors and would do "laps" around the hospital floor.

--Was on softer foods that day/night--think soup, pudding, chicken pot pie.  Was fine, though I think eating may have been a little painful (but because you are using the muscles in your neck to swallow).

--I did take the pain meds, and stayed on them for about 3 days, then night only for another day or two.  It wasn't too bad, but laughing, coughing, and making certain facial expressions that used the neck muscles HURT!  Other than that, the incision/surgical site didn't hurt much at all.

--The back of my neck/shoulders were sore (not from the incision); was told this was from positioning during the surgery.  Nurses helped me prop the pillows up, and gave me an ice pack to use (on the BACK of my neck)--both helped. Had a neck/shoulder massage 2 days later and it helped a bunch!

Ok--Here's the thing--if they give you drainage tubes in the neck (sounds worse than it is) this means they are going to pull them out the next day (or the day they send you home).  So be sure to take the pain meds that morning.  Someone gave me that advice and I took it, so I'm passing it on to you.  It's very quick, so may not be a big deal at all... 

Really, it seemed like a pretty easy surgery to recover from.  Getting in and out of bed was the most painful part--nurses are very good at helping you figure out how to do this without too much scooting around.

Other suggestions:

--you won't feel like washing your face (and won't want to lean over the sink) so get some face wash cloths for when you're at home. 

--have lots of pillows at home so you can prop yourself in a comfortable position at home.  I think I slept propped up until night #4 or 5. 

--either have someone(s) bring you food, or pre-make some yourself.  You won't be able to lift things like heavy pans, or chop veggies or anything like that. 

You really will do fine.  Check back on the board and stay connected if you get nervous.  If you use facebook, there's a thyroid cancer awareness page there.  Not as much information, but I ended up connecting with 2 other thryoid cancer patients through there--one that went through the surgery 2 days before me, and one 2 days after.  So we sort of helped each other through it, which helped me.

Best of luck!!!