Surgery for thyroidectomy

[scaredandconfused84]

I need a total thyroidectomy January 2nd. I was wondering what to expect. Are they going to put breathing tubes in? Do they need to do catheterization? Will I wake up during it? What are the restrictions with the radioactive iodine therapy? Is it hard to eat after the surgery? Is sleeping difficult?

[scaredandconfused84]

How long were you in the hospital?

[Rablemo25]

Two days after the surgery

[scaredandconfused84]

I mean how long after the surgery because I need radioactive Iodine Therapy.

[Rablemo25]

I started thyroid medication in 2011. My diagnosis was Graves Hyperthyroidism, so I started with Methimazole and propranolol. Then after the thyroidectomy in 2012 I was put on Levothyroxine. So i began thyroid medication three years ago.

[scaredandconfused84]

When did you start thyroid medication?

[Rablemo25]

I had a thyroidectomy. It depends on which kind of anaesthetic they wud use. If it's general anaesthesia then yes, you will get a breathing tube. But it wont hurt. You wont see it go in and you wont see it come out. I was completely out before they did those, but they explained to me that they were going to put a tube in to help me breathe because your body stops breathing on its own with general anaesthesia.

When i  woke up after the surgery the tube was out and there was an oxygen mask in its place. I had a bit of a sore throat, but nothing too severe. They gave me lots of pain meds, so I barely was in any pain. And I was walking to the bathroom on my own just a couple of hours after the anaesthesia wore off.

Yeah, I swallowed soft stuff for a while, but on the third day I cud actually eat better, though I didnt try it after about a week or so.

It really didnt hurt much, and you should not wake up during the procedure if it's general anaesthesia. I didnt. In all, the only thing that hurt a bit was a cough I developed after the surgery, which I was told was due to the breathing  tube. Coughing hurt, and it was very persistent and making me throw up, so I went in for some antibiotics. But I'm told that it doesn't happen with everyone. My friend had a thyroidectomy too and she felt nothing, , just went in and came out the third day feeling fine.

Try to be calm and dont be scared. It's actually going to be less scarier than you think.

[Totie]

I had one done . I only remember waking up in my room. No excruciating pain and could get up and walk if needed to go to the bathroom. You will start out by eating soft foods or liquids.

If I had a breathing tube I don't remember, and I did NOT wake up during surgery....I have had 10 surgeries (other issues) and NEVER woke up during surgery. The anesthesiologist will see that you are asleep at all times.

But as they mentioned, ask all of these questions at your pre-op appointment.

[Barb135]

I've never had a thyroidectomy, so I can't answer your questions for sure and would hate to tell you something that isn't right.

These are all questions you should discuss with your doctor to make sure you're getting the correct answers.  

I know it seems easy for me to say, but do try to relax and not worry too much.  There may be some discomfort following the surgery, but I'm sure you will be given pain med, which should help sleep and whoever will be caring for you will be given instructions on how to make you as comfortable as possible.

You will also be started on thyroid replacement hormones, so you should resume a normal life relatively soon.