Helpful items to have for post thyroid surgery

[MAGICDESIGNER]

I am sure there are many out there that can provide more helpful items to have nearby after thyroid surgery, but here are my experiences, and I hope this might help lesson the pain for those who may be having surgery soon.
Plan on having some kind of a mint, life saver, hard candy. Your throat will be very sore directly after surgery.
Ice and lots of it. Ice chips are wonderful, slushies, sherbert or ice cream.
Ice packs provided by the hospital, keep asking for them and keep them on.
A u shaped travel pillow. (This will help keep your head from rolling over after surgery, helps to sleep). Take this with you to the hospital.
Ice packs for home use and lots of them, the narrow gel filled ones worked good for me.
A great  and wonderful person to help you after surgery and when you get home. You will need someone to help you move around, in and out of the bed, doing simple things like answering the phone.
Calcium supplements on hand at home if prescribed
Prepare meals ahead of time and put in the freezer, at least a weeks worth.
Make sure to have soft foods ready at home, jello, pudding, ice pops, banannas, sherbert, ice cream and lots of ice.
Please others add to this as we have each had our own experiences and any great ideas should be shared.

[ChitChatNine]

A " U " shaped pillow .. that was great for the first week sleeping when no position is comfortable; it adds support for watching TV, too.

C~

[Linda1068]

Hi, I had a partial thyroidectomy back in May. Unfortunately no doctor or nurse told me about putting ice on.  I guess it might have made me feel a little better.

Here's a few more tips--

Move your head and neck around to avoid stiffness. Just move it as you can.

Buy some Mederma or ScarZone or other scar diminishing cream. It does work.  Put it on twice a day and massage it in for 2-3 mins each time.  

I got hooked on beef broth in the hospital, the warmth of it made my throat feel good.

If you have to go out of town for your surgery ( like a 2 hr drive away) make plans to stay at a hotel for the night the day you get released from the hospital.  It will be worth the money spent. Try to get a room that has kitchenette.

If you don't take thyroid meds before your sugery, then go back to your Endo to get levels rechecked and they will most likely start you on medication.   I went 28 days from surgery date until I went to my Endo.  I was never told though that I would have to take meds after my surgery.  I'm on them now and I'm glad I took it upon myself to make that appt.  


Ok, I think that's all I have to add.

Hope it was helpful info.  

Linda