questions after surgery

[kiml1]

Hi, as most of you know I had a partial t on Dec. 6 and I am feeling fine now. I just have a question, at the scar area, it feels tight and like I have little ball there. It is still swollen a bit too. Just wondering when the swellign will start to go down and if you all felt tightness in your incision area too. I will see the doc again in 3 weeks.  Thanks, Kim  I can also feel it move when I swallow..

[Cherann]

I have slightly different situation, Have cysts, and 1 dominant nodule. Getting Thyroid scan this coming week. Maybe FNA. Labs seem normal, but I'm new at this. Needless to say it's unnerving. Have heard a lot of horror stories, but reading all the posts above, for the most part have enlightened me a little. I know there can be problems sometimes and everyone is different. But reading your posts makes me feel like I might actually make it through without going through a living hell. Not even sure yet if I'll have surgery, but if it comes to that. has anyone here, or know anyone that has had the surgery and they have an existing tracheotomy scar, from being on ventilator?  No relation to Thyroid problem. Was 14 years ago, I haven't been able to get much response on this question.
Thanks if anyone has info on this kind of situation,  Cherann

[rr80]

i had surgery the beginning of jan 07. Swallowing in general was very painful for about 10 days after surgery and my throat was sore for a good couple of weeks. Swallowing food feels a little strange but is not painful anymore, smaller mouthfuls for me was the way to go. My scar is very faint due to the running stitch i had and i have had no pain or swelling besides general bruiseing from the surgery.

[Pie Face]

I to had a giant thyroid and before surgery I saw 2 thoracic surgeon in the event my sternum needed cut to remove it.  Thank God in my case they didn't have to go through my chest.  It has been bad enough with the continued tightness in my neck and scar area after the surgery.

Please keep us posted on new results.

[linda b.]

Hi, I'm new to the forum, and I too am having a really hard
time swallowing with a lump type feeling in my throat.
My TT was 12/4 and am due for RAI 1/19. Dx'd: Papillary Cancer
with a 06.cm nodule inside a benign 3cm tumor, also had my
lymph removed..
Have to tell you all I am terried to go HYPO. I've got two days
left of my Cytomel, and I am starting to feel ycky..must be
my anxieties kicking up.... Hoping I can meet some new friends
that need support and we can help each other thru this journey.

  HAPPY NEW YEAR......... Linda

[azqtpies]

Thank you all for your support and comments!

[venora]

Wow.Good job you fired that first doc and found another.
the surgery.itself is  not so badanless you have to do the sub sternal thing like me and I have had lots of surgeries to compare.Not to mention childbirths haha.Keep us posted on how it goes.This is such a good place to come and post
Love Venora

[azqtpies]

Venora, I am having my right thyroid out because of the last two biopsys were shown to have follicular cells. I dont have my report with me to put exactly. I have two nodules and  a cyst. I had a biopsy done about 1 1/2 years ago both showing benign, had a biopsy in Aug of 06 with a endo which seems like a quack that test however came back with  my right side nodule that has the cyst had changed from benign now to folliculuar cells so I found a new endo and he had redid my biopsy and again showed sucpicious follicular cells on my right nodule, he did exp[lain to me that 90% of these are not cancer thou he suggested that I have it removed I had gotten the last results in Sept he said no need to hurry but to have it done soon as I could because of the follicular cells they do not change whether they are benign or cancer he explained that if the cells are found beyond the exsiting layer of tissue that the nodule is in then it would be cancer, if the cells are found only within the nodule itself it is benign. That is why they say to have it removed because there is no way for them to determine without removing that side of the thyroid whether it is cancer. I am very frightened to have the surgery, I have found comfort on this site to here that other have had the same situation and have made it and to know that the surgery is not all that bad. Sorry for writing so much well that is my story. I wish you all good luck with your situation in dealin with these issues. Thank you for your responses and support it helps!!!!!

[utahmomma]

Welcome!  I've had that surgery twice.  It's not bad and your surgeon is right on track.  I have a 3 inch scar right at tbe hase of my neck.  It's not too noticeable though.  I think that most of us here have had similar experiences but there are a few exceptions to the rule too.  Welcome and ask questions all you want - there's lots of experience and support here.

[venora]

I think I am the only one with the sternum cut.My goiter was huge and had dropped below my sternum and pushing my esophogus and trachea over.It was too big to be taken out through the regular way.I think everybody else just has the scar you described.I just happen to have 2 scars instead of one.
So dont worry you will be ok.The scar(s) fade with time.They are not so bad,I thought they would bother me but they dont.
So if you dont mind me asking why are you having your thyroid out?I would love to hear your story.this is great place to come.and If I can be of any help dont hesitate.
Love Venora

[azqtpies]

Can I ask to the people that had thyroid surgery why they cut you at the sternum? I am scheduled for a right thyroidectomy in march,07 and my surgeon said it would be a 3 inch scar right above my collar bone? he did not say anything about the sternum? please reply thx

[Pie Face]

All the Dr's say my horrible scar looks good?????  I haven't any other's say anything about it.  

In my case all ointments and creams have only irritated the scar, those prescribed and over the counter.  Any thoughts???

The injections that I've had by pain management Dr's make it really more red and irritated.

Keep in mind this is still a year later.

[venora]

Most people think I have had open heart surgery cause of the sternum scar.So they treat me verrrry gently.hehe
the bear attck and the csection had me roflmao.Those are good ones.
One of my co workers at halloween suggested that I paint myself pale and get a toe tag and go as an autopsy for halloween.
I thought the scar would bother me.It doesnt. It makes an architechural letter y.Maybe I will get it tattooed.
Heres to having fun, Venora

[utahmomma]

Scar tissue and swelling.  Don't panic.  I can't remember (sorry, 12 hour day at work), have you had your stitches/steri strips off/out yet???   If not - wait until the surgeon clears you.  If so, use either the OTC or Rx scar cream or some Aloe Vera gel on your scar throughout the day.  Keep it moist - you don't want the tissue drying out and cracking with this wonderful winter weather.

You'll still feel it a bit when you swallow for a while more.  Just remember - there was A LOT more cutting and trauma inside your neck than on the outside.  If it gets painful, call your doctor.  It should just be uncomfortable then one day you'll realize that you haven't felt it in a while.

It took me roughly a year (both times) before the scar was laying flat, I couldn't feel a bump, and the redness was gone.  Some of my sisters took about 18 months (wimps).  

It's frustrating but will get better.  Hey, at least you did it when you can get away with turtleneck sweaters and scarfs!  :-)
Oh, "choker" type necklaces (especially the chunky ones) also work great to cover the scar and I scored a whole bunch of them on sale at Target this week.

[ChitChatNine]

If you don't mind me asking those who have had the surgery .. do strangers come up to you and ask "WHAT HAPPENED?" ... they did that for quite some time after my shoulder surgery .. then I'd hear them whisper on the supermarket checkoutline to one another, "gee I wonder what happened to her ??" ... finally I got wise and I turned around and said, "OH, A BEAR ATTACKED me in the woods!" .. they shut their mouths immediately and got very very embarassed LOL LOL LOL!  All kidding aside, it's hard to tell people over and over again I would assume esp. if the news isn't what we hoped for??

Cheryl

[utahmomma]

Funny you should ask.  My daughter (remember she was 16 at the time) would make up stories about getting "jumped" by a huge gang of girls and you should see *their* scars!  :-/

I would just tell people its the newest way to insert breast implants.  :-)  

If someone was obviously rude about my scar (a few were) I would simply tell them I had my thyroid removed because of cancer.  That would shut them up.

Another sister told her husband it was the only way she could convince him to buy a diamond necklace.

Another sister (middle school teacher) told her students it was from screaming so loudly at last year's students.

Yet another one said it was a much faster way to her stomach.

The other sister said it was a botched C-section.

Yeah, sarcasm is the only thing that would get us through.

[Pie Face]

I had a Total Thyroidectomy Dec 2005 and I'm still having tightness in the neck and scar area. I don't know when it will end.  After seeing over 12 Dr. no one really has the answer yet.  Please keep us posted on your recovery. I truly believe that my neck was sown too tight.

[kimcle]

I had my completion thyroidectomy end of August,
I still have a litle tightness, it takes a while for
everything to heal.
Take care.

[venora]

I still have that feeling of tightness in the substernal incsision site.but it finnally went away at the tt site.The tt scar is looking pretty good too.The sub sternal scar is taking longer to heal up.
I am glad you are feeling good. I would be in good shape if I hadnt had to get my sternum cut open.Oh well I am glad  the goiter is gone.
Heres to feeling good and healthy
Love Venora

[ChitChatNine]

I haven't had my surgery yet, but with my mole excisions that little "ball" is from the internal disolving stitches and with my moles (about 12 stitches outside and a few layes inside) it will puff down and resolve within 2 mos. usually.  

Just my thoughts as I can relate until somebody who has BTDT posts for you!

How many stitches did you have? Do they stitch or steri-strip them in place?

I am SO SO GLAD YOU ARE FEELING SO WELL at this juncture .. you are very encouraging to me :)

C~