recovery of a TT

[cynlynne]

I am having a TT on Sept. 14th.  My doctor told me that I would be in the hospital for at least one night.  I am single and am wondering if I'm needing to spend a few days at my parents home or if I would be okay staying in my own home by myself.  I have a very understanding boss who told me to take 3 weeks off instead of the two that was recommended (I'm a 2nd grade teacher and we are both very concerned of vocal cord strain and the ability to project my voice to the back of the room).  With all that time off I thought I would fly to visit my sister in Portland, OR about a week and a half after the surgery.  Do you think this will be a problem?  
I'm also curious to hear about anyone who has had a TT.  Were there problems with your voice, energy levels, or weight gain?  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks! :)

[cynlynne]

Thanks everyone!  I appreciate all your comments :)

[Vickie0422]

I just had my TT on 8/14/09. I came home the same day I had my surgery. I think I would have been fine by myself, but I had my husband and he was great. I felt like I was in a fog for at least two days. I think it was from the pain meds because I am not used to them. Also had a bad headache for a few days but the dr. said it was from the anesthesia. I had some pain but mostly your throat is going to be sore. If you are going to stay by yourself, make sure that you have plenty of soft foods and things that are easy to fix on hand. I ate applesauce, jello pudding, popsicles and soup the first couple of days. I started driving a week after my surgery. You just have to be careful because it does hurt when you turn your head. I still feel tightness around my incision and I still keep ice on it. That really helps the swelling. I go to the dr. Thursday for my 1st bloodwork. I am taking 125 mg of synthroid and I am feeling good now. At first I had no energy and was real tired. I was able to talk as soon as I woke up, but my voice is still hoarse and it feels like you have to strain if you talk loud. I was worried I would not be able to talk as well.

I was really worried before my surgery, but it was not that bad as far as surgeries go. I just cried and cried. The first night is the worse so maybel the dr. will keep you at least 1 night. I was fine at home though. I slept the 1st day.

I think you should be able to travel. Just remember to take it easy and no lifting, sweeping, vacuuming and etc. Just listen to what the dr. tells you. Good luck to you and I know you will do fine.

[katebrunk]

I am just under 3 weeks since my TT surgery and feeling pretty good; I even just finished a 24 hour, 3 segment plane trip from the States to Azerbaijan to go back to work with no issues. It is helpful and nice but, not necessary to have some help the first couple of days after the surgery.  I had great range of motion but, still felt a little foggy for a day or two after the surgery.    I waited to drive for a week to be able to see the blind spots and feel like I could react quickly if I needed to turn my head.  But, was out and about the second day after my surgery.  I made the mistake of lifting some luggage and boxes just 10 days after surgery and pulled the healing muscle tissue; it hurt for a few days and was swollen but, with ice and rest it was back to normal recovery after 2 days.  So....listen to your doctor and DO NOT PICK UP ANYTHING YOU DON'T HAVE TO!  You will be surprised at how little weight pulls and strains your neck muscles.  Voice was perfect right after surgery; I did feel like there was a little discomfort in my right vocal chord for a few days but, other than that....it was great.   Three weeks recovery will be more than plenty to get through your surgery and have significant healing of your incision.  
Three weeks into 112mcg of Synthyroid, I am feeling normal (I was euthyroid prior to the TT).  I am getting my first blood work in a week to find out how my levels are looking but, overall feeling alright.  I have been eating a lot....mostly because I had a short window of being home in the States and I have a deep love of Mexican food.  I haven't gained or lost any weight thus far.  I am under the impression it will take several weeks and months to really settle into the meds and learn what will be the right level for me.  So, I don't take a lot of stock in feeling good now as I know that can change.  
Hang in there....I was sooooo worried before my surgery and now that it is done...I feel great!  
Kate

[loonette]

Hi,
Just had a TT 6/24/09 and was very worried that I wouldn't get it done in time before the start of the school year.  I am also a teacher for second grade and was really worried that I would have some kind of vocal cord paralysis.  I was told to be sure and rest my voice.  I was able to do that since we didn't begin school until 8/10/09.  I couldn't drive for at least 1 1/2 weeks because of the small range of motion (can't check the blindspot).  You should be ready to go back to work after 2 weeks.  No lifting heavy objects.  As far as the hospital stay I have heard anywhere from 1 to 3 days--I was in for 3 days.  Beats me because I had no drop in calcium issues (resulting from damaging parathyroid glands).  I had all of the same worries because of my job.  All in all everything turned out well.  Just make sure your surgeon has done many of these surgeries.  I'll be going back for RAI (papillary carcinoma after goiter removed)  on 9/11/09 so I will miss at least 1 week and 2 days of school--such a stress!  

[ChitChatNine]

Hi, I had a partial in early '07 and it took me a week before I could drive due to range of motion being sore and tight and about 2 weeks until I would have been able to return to work.  My issue was lifting anything with the neck muscles hurting a lot .. even groceries for the first week.  I had vertigo as a complication and that was awful the first week but lessened with time .. it also was a migraine headache.  In my case thy said it was from the anesthesia (a reaction) and got better within a week.  Everybody is so different but younger I think probably heal faster!

C~

[tm514]

I had a TT a little over 3 years ago (for Graves).  It isn't a bad surgery as surgeries go.

The overnight stay is to keep an eye on your calcium levels (in case the parathyroid glands are impacted by the surgery) as much as anything.  They'll take blood for testing every 6 hours or so.

I had no recovery problems.  I was driving 2 days after surgery, and back to work half days a week after surgery.  There were a couple of days when I was totally exhausted - about 4 days after surgery then about 8 days after surgery.  After that, I was pretty much back to my old self.  I didn't have any problems with my voice.  

The only pain I had was a sore throat from the breathing tube during surgery - a couple of tylenol and I was good to go.

I would have been fine on my own once I came home, and I would have been fine to travel a week and a half later.  Check with your doctor to make sure there isn't any medical reason not to travel that soon after sugery (I don't know of any, but then, I am an accountant!).

Good luck!