Questions about thyroidectomy and recovery time

[Sophie13]

I have had graves disease for about 4 years now.  I had the radioactive iodine done twice and it has subsided my graves disease for about 2 years.  I just recently moved to Georgia with my husband and I am 5 months pregnant.  I was referred to an endochrinologist here and they have checked my levels and the best solution to this is to have a total thyroidectomy.  The doctor is supposed to call and let me know how soon after the baby is born I will have the surgery.  They don't want to give me the radioactive iodine again because I will not be able to be around the baby for over a month or so.  And we don't have any family here that could help us with the baby if I did have that done.  I am curious about the recovery time as well as the pain, because I will have a newborn.  I am told I will only be in the hospital overnight.  Also, will I be able to take the synthroid if I become pregnant again?  I know it's a lot of questions, but I really appreciate any feedback I can get.  Thank you!!  

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Sounds like you have recurrent Graves Hyperthyroidism despite 2 doses (important to get the exact I-131 doses so if a third dose is given, it will be high enough).

Now with pregnancy, things are more complicated.  I usually would use PTU (an anti-thyroid pill) in this setting to control things during pregnancy and nursing, then treat with I-131 (29.9mCi) -- a month is a long time to be away from the baby, a week or two is more reasonable, but certainly cannot nurse after I-131 and must be done with nursing for at least 8 weeks before I-131 (as I-131 can accumulate in breast milk and cause breast radiation damage).

Surgery is another option that avoids the I-131 and radiation safety issues.  Still would use PTU during pregnancy to keep levels in high-normal range then surgery about 6 weeks after delivery.  Recovery is about a week.

Synthroid is fine (and very important) during future pregnancies.

[Lake Lover]

Everybodies recovery time is different but you will be quite active anywhere from 1 day post op to 3 days post op.  The anesthesia affects people differently and I find that is what cused me to have fatigue issure rather than the surgery itself.  

The most painful time is the hours after surgery until about 24 hours.  You will receive mdication so it should not be an issue.  I know of many people including myself that began taking Motrin after the first 48 hours.

Picking up your child may be restricted for up to 2 weeks while your incision heals depending on how much they weigh when you have your surgery.

Synthroid is a synthetic hormone replacement and will not cause issue getting pregnant if your levels are in normal ranges.

Please be sure and research your surgeon's experience level thouroughly.  Someone who performs 3-4 thyroid removal's per week is highly skilled in most cases.  Many surgeons are now performing minimally invasive technique which leaves a scar of only 3/4 inch, internal stiches and gluing the incision shut withut drains.