Help, I need thyroid surgery and am panic stricken

[petmom1]

I am 38 and was just told I need to have at least a partial thyroidectomy. I have a nodule on my right posterior mid lobe that is 8x8x8mm. The biopsy done on 3/4/10 showed some scattered cells demonstrating nuclear grooves and intranuclear inclusions, features associated with papillary carcinoma. I have many questions and cannot see the ENT doctor until 3/19/10.
-Is it inevitable to gain a lot of weight after having your thyroid ( part or total ) removed? Is anyone able to lose weight after a thyroidectomy without having to starve and excessive excersise?

[Totie]

I had a TT 16yrs ago. I did gain weight at first, but that was during the time they were adjusting my dosage (took up to a yr).

Since, I had maintained my weight for my height. Now for the past 3 years I am underweight. No, not on a diet or anything, just eat more sensible (except when I have the monthly visitor)....lol..

Just watch your diet & excersise. I will be honest, I don't excersise, but that is how my body works. I tell people I am intolerant to excersise...

[redheadaussie]

It's funny how people will still believe they will gain weight after the surgery....Urban Myth lives!
  I had a partial in May 2007 due to Follicular Adenoma they thought was a cancer, and I did not have any medication till I had the right side out in Dec 07 due to Hurthle Cell Adenoma. (Not cancer but not far off it!) I was put on medication then and if anything I LOST weight!
Starving your self actually leads the body into thinking there is a famine and to store what fats it can, so it is FAR better to eat healthy and do moderate excersise at any time!
  MANY many women have successful pregnancies after partial or total thyroidectomy. You would need to be monitored though as the thyroid demands change as the pregnancy continues and directly after birth and if breastfeeding, also needs monitoring your levels.
  It isn't a life sentence, just a major change in life style!
Cheers.
Good luck on the surgery!

[petmom1]

Thank you so much for your help. I know cancer is much worse than some extra weight. I am thinking of my family history of diabetes and that I have been trying to get pregnant with the help of a fertility doctor. Too much weight gain worries me for reasons bigger than vanity. Do you know of any successful pregnancy stories post thyroidectomy? My fertility tests are all normal but I would still need IVF due to my husbands sperm count. I waited a long time to have a family and it would help me greatly to know it is possible to be healthy and carry a pregnancy after a thyroidectomy.

[MANmom]

No, it is not inevitable that you will gain a lot of weight...but the alternative - cancer - is far worse than gaining a few pounds.  I had a lobectomy last april, I did not really gain any weight until my TT in June after they found papillary cancer.  After the TT I did gain 20 pounds, not really fun, but I walked every day, even when I felt crappy.  After radioactive iodine treatment I finally got my synthroid, then I dropped 10 pounds in about 2 months.  After adjusting my meds twice, I finally feel normal and now only have about 8 to go.