Thyroid Surgery, What can I expect?

[jen679]

I have too suck it up and schedule my surgery for partial thyroidectomy? I'm worried about going under anethesia and caring for my two year old when I get home, not to mention getting results on whether or not it's cancer. Can anyone tell me how long I'll need help at home  and whether or not thyroid levels can cause mental changes?

[Anu0506]

Hi,
Dont be afraid. I was like you when i went thru my tt. All sort of things ran wild in my head. I will be going thru one more surgery next week. I am a stronger person now. I wish you well. Take care.

[Liz94]

The surgery is a piece of cake. It's the hormonal rollercoaster that comes after that stinks!  Seriously, mine was a very uneventful surgery.  Not really any pain.  I was up and around the next day and cleaning the house and I never had any pain meds.  The only thing that was bothersome was coughing, sneezing or getting the hiccups. Those things were not pleasant for a week or so.  Also, make sure you move your head around and don't get in the habit of keeping it stationary in fear of  hurting something, it'll just make you sore.

[jen679]

Thanks,I feel a little better after reading your post. Sorry you have to take out the entire gland. I wish you well.

[MANmom]

I just had that surgery two weeks ago Tuesday, it was a piece of cake, all except the throwing up from the anesthesia.  A day after I had it, I went home, slept some, By Thursday, I was totally off pain meds (I did not ever take hard stuff - Percocet made me throw up, too, and it really did not hurt that bad.)  A couple tylenol every once in a while was all I needed (I did take one Vicodan one night to sleep through my husband's snoring!).  By Friday that same week I was walking 2 miles, Saturday 3 miles...I only took naps in the afternoon on Thursday and Friday, after that I was normal, my other half functions well now, however, my diagnosis on the portion they removed was cancer, so the other side must now come out.=(  I am not afraid of the surgery, but the hormone deficiency is going to be a bummer.  Don't fear the surgery, it is not that bad, hopefully your other half will compensate and you won't need to have hormones.  Good luck, with a two year old it will probably be harder, but try to sleep when he/she naps...