I'm scheduled for a total thyroidectomy in two weeks. They told me it would be at least a one night stay, longer if my calcium levels were off. Personally, I'd prefer at least two nights since I live about a four hour drive from the hospital and I'm concerned about something going awry out in the sticks on the way home. Hopefully they'll work with me on this.
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Talk to your surgeon -- some are done as outpatients, some require hospital stays.