8 days post total thyroidectomy-swelling?

[jayray1115]

Hello all, I had my TT last Monday. I stayed one night in the hospital. The procedure went well and I was surprised that I felt as good as I did shortly afterwards. My neck, of course, was sore and stiff and coughing was no fun...ouch!!

The part that is concerning me is...when I left the hospital I had a large "lump" at the base of my sutures. I was told it was just swelling and it will go down. It did. Probably by Friday, the mass was nearly gone. But then this past Sunday it started appearing swollen to me again. It got a little bigger yesterday. By last night, I was very concerned about the size. It was almost as big as when I left the hospital. I called the surgeon's office this morning and unfortunately the surgeon is out of the office today. They said that it is fluid that will eventually be absorbed but if I am truly concernred, I can come and see the surgeon tomorrow. I told them that, yes, I would feel much better having the doctor look at it to tell me it's ok.

Anyone else have this type of thing happen to them after their TT? How long did it take for the swelling to be completely gone?

Also, the doctor put me on 100 mg of synthroid. I believe this was just a starting point and they will need to do tests to see if it's working for me. Can anyone comment on how the correct dose is found? Do they have to keep doing lab work?

[katebrunk]

Yes, about a week after my TT (performed on August 4th) I had significant swelling on the right side of my neck below the stitches.  It came after resuming some "normal" activity and to be truthful, lifting a few things I shouldn't have.  It was fluid from the void where my thyroid used to be.  It took several days and occassional ice on it but, it went back down and looks great now.  It is most likely fluid that re-entered under the suture line and should go down in a few days.  Try icing it down and taking it easy!  

[katebrunk]

Follow up....they put me on 112mcg of synthroid; my Endo used the algorithm method (using weight as a factor in deciding on doseage).  I have my first blood test on Friday which is about 5 weeks post surgery.  I feel VERY lucky that I feel pretty good; have had 2 days of some nausea and a few days of lack of concentration and short term memory.  

[jayray1115]

Thanks Kate! I was reading some of your other posts and saw that you have been doing well after your procedure. Thanks for puttng my mind at ease that this swelling could be normal.  I'll try icing it and not doing anything today. I too have been doing some things I probably shouldn't have.

[juliva]

.After my surgery I was really swollen for a very long time. My surgeon told me I could do anything I wanted including exercise but even 5-6 weeks post opt I could not lift weights or barely jog without swelling shortly after. Any type of straining made me swell. My Doctor seemed puzzled which didn't make me feel any better. I'd say things didn't settle completely for me for about 4 months out. I to was really worried about the swelling and was asking for help from others on this forum at that time. My surgeon didn't do a drainage tube and I can't help but think that I may have benefited from one. Hope you feel better soon!  

[loonette]

Hi,
I had a TT on 6/24/09 and had the same concerns.  Lots of swelling above the incision site that really worried me--it looked really bulgy.  On this same site others relieved my mind saying that there are bundles of stitches that need to heal.  The swelling will go down they said.  It did!  I was afraid it was going to burst, but I also applied some ice to help the swelling.  Didn't do it for long.  Saw the nurse the week following and she said it looked real good.  The surgeon the week after said the same thing.  It's four and a half weeks now  and that lumpy feeling on the scar is nearly gone!