Surgery is less than a week away!!! Questions

[TXMomOfFaith]

I had a fna on June 19th and the results came back indecisive. They said couldn't say 100% if it was or was not cancer so they recommended I have the whole thyroid removed. I am scheduled for my surgery this Tuesday on the 9th. I have not been able to speak much about the surgery with the surgeon and when I do I forget all my questions. The closer it gets the more nervous I get.
Is thyroid surgery dangerous? What are my chances for not surviving the surgery? Why do I have stay overnight in the hospital? How far into my neck will they have to go to get it out? Will have stitches? Will I be able to go the restroom by myself and move around and such that day or will it takes day of recovery? How long will I laid up in bed after surgery? Any foods or meds I should avoid before the surgery?
Any help in answering these questions would be greatly appreciated.

[TXMomOfFaith]

Thanks, those threads did help! :) I am taking this bit by bit. Right now I am most worried about the surgery..........if I will wake up or have complications. My next worry is about the "c" word. Well it always at the back of my mind, but I know that getting the thyroid out will be a HUGE help in that depart IF it comes back malignant. I am staying positive and saying to myself that it will come back benign. I tried to talk to my husband about the surgery last night since he has had several orthapedic surgeries. I just couldn't do it though, I don't want him to see how worried I am and I am certainly hiding it from my kiddos too. I keep telling myself that thyroid surgery is very common and I have nothing to worry about. I think I am most worried about the going under part of surgery. What are the chances that I won't wake up?!!?! I am sooooo ready to get this over with!!!!! I am sooooo tired of tearing up at the thought of  not waking up after surgery or finding out I have some sort of horrible "c" that they can't treat. I am trying to give all my worries to God. He has done amazing things for me during all of this I know in my heart that he is going to get me through this. I just wish my heart would tell my brain to shut up more often! lol
I don't have alot of help available after my surgery. We have no family that lives near and my husband can not take much time off of work. My surgery is on Tuesday on my husband has arranged to take off that day and the next day. My mother will be able to come down those same days so my husband can stay with me, but after Wenesday I don't know who is going to take care of my babies. I know my husband will demand off of work if he has too but we really can not afford it right now. I also know he is soooo nervous about taking care of the kids by himself. I am going to have to plan everything out this weekend, premake and freeze meals, grocery shop, make list so he knows what they do and eat all day, set out all their clothing for the week, organize EVERYTHING so he can find stuff and ton of other stuff. My husband works a ton and isn't around enough to really know how our household runs. Sad, I know.
I pray that I get to come home the next day!

[dscoochie]

Hi Again,

Here are two threads that I started before my first surgery:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/480003?post_id=post_2721572
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/486176?post_id=post_2746551

You may recognize some of your fears in my posts, and hopefully the support will be comforting to you, as well as knowing that how you are feeling is not abnormal.

Good luck!

[utahmomma]

Stupid filter:

try this link:

http://www.****.***

[utahmomma]

It's normal to be nervous and have questions before surgery.  Make sure that you write everything down and *insist* on taking to the surgeon before they put you out.  It will help you with your fears.

I can't answer all of your questions about YOUR surgery but I have been through it twice so I can answer about MY experiences:

Is thyroid surgery dangerous?  All surgeries are dangerous.  Both the actual surgery and the anesthetic carry risks.  However, untreated cancer also carries a HUGE risk.

What are my chances for not surviving the surgery?   I don't know the statistics on this surgery.  Have you had surgery or general anesthetic before?  If you've had surgery/general anesthetic without problems your chance of survival are very good.  As for the surgery, the key is to have a skilled surgeon who has done this procedure MANY, MANY times before.

Why do I have stay overnight in the hospital? I asked the same question because it is the only surgery that I have had to stay overnight.  The biggest reason that you have to stay over night is to monitor your vitals and make sure that your calcium levels stay strong (a common problem after thyroid surgeries because of the parathyroid glands)

How far into my neck will they have to go to get it out? It depends on the size of your thyroid and, if they find any cancer (which I hope they do NOT), if there are lymph nodes or other structures involved.  Usually they move the skin, tendons, and muscles out of the way and remove the thyroid from in front of your trachea.  Here's a diagram from Washington Hospital:  

http://www.****.***

Will have stitches? It depends on your surgeon.  I didn't (neither did any of the other 5 in the family) - we had what's called steri strips which is surgical tape that holds the incision together and creates a nice, uniform scar.


Will I be able to go the restroom by myself and move around and such that day or will it takes day of recovery?  You should be able to.  I didn't have any problems, in fact, the only one in the family who did was my fourth sister who had a problem with the pain meds and was sick from a reaction to the morphine.

How long will I laid up in bed after surgery? I wasn't laid up at all (don't tell my family that though - I told them I was too sore to clean house - LOL).  I had my surgeries on Thursdays and went back to work the following Mondays.

Any foods or meds I should avoid before the surgery?  You will be told to not drink or eat anything after midnight the day of your surgery.  You should also tell your doctor if you are on any blood thinners, etc.   Call the hospital, tell them you are going to be having surgery, and tell them ALL medications (prescription and non-prescription), herbs (including teas), and supplements you are taking.  They will tell you which ones you can, and cannot have, before surgery.  Some meds (blood thinners and aspirin - I think) may need to be discontinued a week before surgery so call them tomorrow and ask.

You'll do fine!!!

Hugs and best wishes

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 (and, it looks like, '08)
three sisters with papillary carcinoma; one with precancer; and daughter with precancer

[kipland]

As you know, there is always a risk when we go under the anesthetic for surgery.  As far as surgeries go, my surgeon said that this surgery is a fairly easy one compared to others.

I was really nervous too, because I'd never had surgery before.  I'm going to tell you right now that I never had one bit of pain at the incision site.  It felt a little tight for a while, but didn't hurt.

My scar is a year old and you can barely see it now.  I didn't have stitches at all, as they used the surgical glue - which was awesome!  

They keep you overnight just to monitor you and make sure your calcium levels are okay.  I was able to get up and go to the restroom, but was slightly woozy the first time so they made me use the bed pan (ick!).  They gave me the anti-nausea meds in my IV, and then I was fine.

You'll be fine too, but I understand how you're feeling.  We'll all be here and saying prayers for you, and waiting for you to post and let us know how it went!

Good luck!
Lori  

[TXMomOfFaith]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. :) Are there many people that die from thyroid surgery?

[amela321]

I'm sorry you're so scared.  I know facing surgery can be difficult.  I've had several surgeries in my life including two for thyroid cancer and all of my surgeries have gone fine.  As dscoochie said, the only problem I really have had is some nausea after surgery.  Neither of the thyroid cancer surgeries caused too much pain and any pain there was was short lived.  The human body is amazing at recovering!

Will you see your surgeon or your anesthesiologist before the appointment?  They should be able to address any concerns you might have about your weight.  I would assume they would both have had experience in performing surgery on morbidly obese patients and thus will know if there is anything special they have to do.  If you aren't scheduled to see either doctor, call the office and speak to the nurse.  

I hope this helps a little.  Try to think positively and don't be afraid to call your doctor's office with any questions.  Much good luck to you!!  

[TXMomOfFaith]

I think my biggest concern is that I will complications due to being morbidly obese. The surgeon has not even mentioned my weight, so I am assuming he doesn't think it will be a problem?

I am sooo scared. I am the type that wants to write letters too, but I don't know if I could handle all the emotional drama of doing so. I am tearing up just thinking about it!
How common is thyroid surgery? I guess I would feel better if I thought that it was just a routine operation done everyday and that nobody dies from the surgery. I don't know why I am being such a chicken. I have never had surgery or sort of procedure done. Dh has had several orthapedic surgeries but that just doesn't seem as dangerous as thyroid surgery. I think what freaks me out the most is that it is on my neck,..........kinda a vital area ya know. In my mind I want so badly to cling to my husband and children right up until they take to the OR. This however would not be good for my children and I know. I guess I will just let them stay with my mother, but I know I will get all choked up saying goodbye. Heck I am getting all choked up just thinking about it! Oh I wish I could calm down and stop worrying that I am going to die in surgery.....or right afterwards due to complications.  I feel like I am going crazy.

[PlateletGal]

You have mail !  ; ^ )

[dscoochie]

Is thyroid surgery dangerous? What are my chances for not surviving the surgery? Why do I have stay overnight in the hospital? How far into my neck will they have to go to get it out? Will have stitches? Will I be able to go the restroom by myself and move around and such that day or will it takes day of recovery? How long will I laid up in bed after surgery? Any foods or meds I should avoid before the surgery?

Thyroid surgery is not dangerous, but all surgery has its lists of possible complications, and of course, all surgery COULD be dangerous.  I was terrified before both my surgeries - I wrote notes to my kids and husband - I was completely psychotic!  But it turned out fine and yours will too.  I stayed two nights with my first surgery, and three with my second because of low calcium issues.  The first surgery I had internal stitches, the second external.  I think the second surgery's scar looks much better.  After both surgeries I had to pee right away, and although I was a little bit weak and dizzy, I was able to get around fine.  I was also nauseous after the first surgery- so ensure you ask for anti nausea meds the second you feel sick to your stomach.  

Just take it easy and remember that the more you rest, the better your body can heal.  

Drink lots of fluids prior to and after your surgery - water is so very important!

Good luck next week!

D

[ChitChatNine]

Hi ... can you send me the link or post it .. I'm interested in seeing it.  

Thanks,

C~

[PlateletGal]

Hi TXMomOfFaith,

I don't have any answers for you, but I thought I would pop in and say that I wish you the best with your surgery.

If I remember right.. you have fibromyalgia, don't you ? If yes, then I have an article that you may find helpful. One of the fibromyalgia experts gives recommendations to fibro patients who have having elective surgery... in hopes that the surgery won't cause a fibro flare-up. Please let me know if you would like the link and again... best of luck with your surgery. You are in my thoughts n' prayers.

[TXMomOfFaith]

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