Information about Thyroid Removal Surgery due to a Goiter

[KyBornAprStorm74]

I am hoping to find out information about Throid Removal Surgery and also wanted to see if anyone out there had or has had the same symptoms i have .. Let me say this .. my function is all normal but i do have a very large mass on one side of my neck which i have had biopsys and ultrasounds of.. all normal.. but my DR said that with a mass the size of mine the only means are removal .. well i am a huge chicken of surgery and have heard that you even have to go home with a drain tube which later has to be removed .. i am just wondering how bad the surgery is ??.. Also if its painful to have that drain removed??.. Another thing is that i am wondering if anyone out there has had a goiter so large that it interferes with breathing??.. I have been having shortness of breath and also pain in my chest that i believe could be like heartburn related. Its like the shortness of breath comes and goes at times and no asthma meds seem to help me a bit .. I am just assuming its from the thryoid being so enlarged?.. Another thing is that i do have dizziness when i get up suddenly .. would that also be from the goiter putting pressure on something??. IF anyone out there has any  info on any of this it would be greatly appreciated!!..

[L.A.Owen]

This time last year I had lost my voice and my breathing was difficult.  My Dr had treated me for a chest infection and after 3 lots of antibiotics there was no improvement. He then suggested I had a lung function test thinking I might be asmatic.  When I went to have the testa at my local surgery My breathing was so bad they were unable to do it and the nurse then noticed a slight swelling on th right sode of my neck and suggested that we had full blood tess done. When the results came one of my levels was ok but the other slightly out. I had to go and see the surgery again but this time I seen a difert G.P who put me on thyroxin and sent me for a Ultra sound scan.  While waiting for the scan appointment I had to return to my sugery for another prescription of thyroine I saw a different Dr Who did not agree with Me being given them but did not withdraw them. When I eventually went for the scan I was told my Thyroid gland was covered in nodules and one was large and I would probaly have surgery. In September I had my Surgery to remove 1/2 the gland The drain was removed 2 days later with a pulling sensation. I had my op on the wednesday and left on the saturday I had some discomfort But my breathing was better and my voice had come back. I have since been told that the nodule causing the problem was benign but 7cm big. The op was a small price to pay for being able to dance again go for a walk and even shout at my husband

[GUTSY DEB]

I HAVE HAD A GOITER FOR YEARS AND WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS IT HAS GROWN AND IS NOW BLOCKING MY AIRWAY. I HAVE ALSO BEEN ON THYROID MEDS FOR YEARS AND THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO STOP THE GOITER FROM GROWING,WELL YOU GUESSED IT. I NOW HAVE TO GO SEE A SURGEON THE END OF JULY AND THEN HAVE THE GOITER REMOVED. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROCEDURE EXCEPT I STAYIN THE HOSPITAL FOR 2-3 DAYS. I HAVE HAD OTHER SURGERIES BUT THIS ONE SCARES ME BECAUSE IT IS MY NECK BEING CUT.IF ANYONE HAS HAD THE OPERATION COULD YOU LET ME KNOW THE PROCESS.

[KyBornAprStorm74]

Thanks so much for the information!!.. It was very helpful. My husband recently had an interview for another job and we are praying he gets this one cause he will have health insurance and if this does occur I am going to take the plunge and get this thing taken out!!.. So you said you were in the hospital for 3 days total??..I am still dealing with shortness of breath from time to time as i have been for a long time. My goiter is in the right side of my neck and so large that some people notice it and comment about it .. I am sure that i will feel sooo much better once i get rid of this thing!!.. Thanks again for the info!!..

[kath8486]

i also have a growth on my thyroid and will be having surgery to remove the entire left part with the growth and half of the right.  Does anyone else have problems with a lot of weight gain, swelling and getting very winded from walking around or going up stairs?  After the surgery do these side effects go away and how long do you usually stay in the hospital?  They don't know if it is cancerous but because of my family history with thyroid problems they are taking it.  If anyone can give me any info i would really appreciate it.

[JendaiTN]

Hello,
I had an enlarged thyroid that was found by my gyno when I went for a check up (I was having difficulty getting pregnant for the second time). I ended up having a left-thyroidectomy and it was benign but had grown 4 times larger than normal. The surgery was no big deal really and I am not on any medications at this time. The incision is actually in my "necklace area" so it cannot be seen in a t-shirt and some jewelry lengths will even hide it. I was in the hospital only overnight - it has been 3 1/2 years since my surgery.
Oh, and with the help of my endocrinologist I did get pregnant and have had another baby since then (She put me on Actos because she thought insulin resistance issues were affecting fertility).

[mookie1299]

A related discussion, GOITER REMOVAL was started.