soldierswife_4

This discussion is related to recovery from and is thyroid surgery necessary.


My 9 year old daughter just had her thyroid removed two days ago.
It looks like under the clear bandage it's all red. I think the bandage itself has
irritated the skin. I know I have to leave it on for another few days. Should I make
another appoitment just to have it checked out to make sure? My daughter has not had
a fever, but she has been in pain, so I have been giving her motron every 6 hours. thanks for any advice anyone can give me.

[utahmomma]

All of this sounds normal for thyroid surgery.  It sounds like she is sensitive or allergic to the bandage.  It wouldn't hurt to call the surgeon's office, just in case, but I know that any bandages do the same thing to me and my kids.

What is hurting her?  The incision?  Her throat?  The skin under the bandage?

[soldierswife_4]

thank you for your reply, She has just been in pain from the surgery itself. After motron she is fine. I think being a child, she does too much, then when it's time for more motron she complains of being in pain. I have to remind her she needs to rest more. I did rent movies tonight, so I'm hoping that will keep her off her feet most of tommarow. The insission sight looks red, and she did say she just wants to itch it. I told her not too. I think she is senitive to the bandage they used. She has never been sentive before, but then again this is her first surgery too.

[utahmomma]

Ice packs work wonders - just make sure the pack doesn't leak and soak the bandage.  I used those blue gel ones that you can reuse and covered it in a hand towel.  The ice will reduce swelling and take down the inflammation - helping stop the itch.

The medical tape and surgical bandages has some pretty strong adhesive and it usually makes for an itchy, red area underneath - not to mention that there isn't any air there.

Usually the most pain we have is from the intubation where we have a "really bad sore throat" - for that ice chips, popsicles, etc. helps

You get some rest too Mom.  I know that my daughter's surgery was *much* more stressful on me than any of my own surgeries.  You get some rest and take care of yourself!

[joette22]

i am a 55 year old woman who had a partial thyroidectomy done 5 years ago, right side.  This Friday I will have the left side and the isthmus removed.  I have a nodule that has been growing, noticed at the end of 2006, biopsied twice and seems to be growing.  I am wondering about recovery time, hospital lengh stay etc.  I am worried I may have cancer but am trying to be very positive about everything. Can anyone help me with those questions?  Also, will I have a drain tube when I come out of surgery?  I cannot recall if I had one with my partial thyroidectomy.  Thank you.

[utahmomma]

It might help if you start a new thread since others may miss this one.

My hospital stay (and my sisters, and my daughter's) was overnight.  I had my surgeries on a Thursday and was back to work the following Monday (had it twice because pathology wasn't available until after I was out of the surgical suite).

None of us had drain tubes.

Good luck and let us know.

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03