Total Thyroidectomy

[RALFINA]

My biopsy came back with Follicular Neoplasm so they said I needed to just remove it.  Both the Endocrinologist and the surgeon are recomended removing the entire gland.  I am Hashimoto's and the whole gland is diffuse in texture and enlarged.  They both said there was no point keeping a piece of a lobe that is diseased, plus I all ready take synthroid so they said I am used to taking the medicine.  The radiologist measured the nodule at 3.9 cm and it's right on my isthmus.  

My surgery is next Wednesday on July 21st.  I will find out the following week if it is cancer or not.  I am just looking for anyone who will share what a total thyroidectomy was like or any tips or advice.

Thanks so much in advance.

[RALFINA]

My surgeon is doing it right through the neck.  I read about that newer procedure.  They are concerned it is cancerous but I don't know.  I have a good feeling it will be benign, or just wishful thinking.  HA

She told me I would have my surgery Wednesday and have stitched and I would come back on Friday to her office (staying one night in the hospital) and she would replace the stitches with steristrips at that point to help minimize the scarring.  Is that not the norm?  I just assumed it was.

I'll defintely do the stretching!  Thanks for the tips!  

[RALFINA]

I so hope it's not cancerous, I think he said given my particular situation 70% says it should be benign. So, I am just hoping for that so I can get healing and on the path to recovery.  I'm nervous after reading lots of people talk about the exhaustion, joint pains.  I all ready have really bad joint pain in my one hip.  I guess everyone is different though, but I am really hoping my recovery goes as smooth as your and that I won't need the RAI and it will be cancer free.

I had my pre-op today.  Just blood work and spoke with an anesthesiologist nurse and it's on for Wednesday.  I so don't feel like doing this.  Added to all this stress, we have sold our house and bought a house over the past 8 weeks of dealing with this thyroid mess and I am moving on August 6th so have a whole house and 2 kids to pack up.  :(  It's gonna be hectic so I really hope I am feeling better.

Thanks for the support and response.

[redheadaussie]

I have had two surgeries a partial then 5 months later a total.
  The surgery itself is not that bad. You will wake up and either feel totally cruddy from the anesthetic or breeze through it! Pain is usually minimal and of course, if you do feel any ask for something!
  I throw up with every surgery I ever have, so if you are like me, do make sure they give you something just before they take you to recovery. the anethetist will inject you with whatever they feel is suitable.
  Your neck may feel tight and you will have either steri-trips, a piece of gauze or stuff that is like Saran Wrap on your throat. It is not advisable to get this area wet for a few days till the healing is under way. (With the plastic type bandage it is ok though!)
  Gently do some stretching a few days after wards to keep the muscles from stiffening up too much. The back of your neck might feel sore, too, as they over extend the neck to get at the thyroid.

Do ask if they can remove it the new surgical way. It is taken out through the armpit, usually the right one, and removed laproscopically. This surgery is not used in case there is any hint of a cancer, so it may not be suitable for you.

As above poster mentioned, do make sure they keep an eye on your calcium levels. Also, hospitals can be a noisy place, take ear plugs!!!!!

[MANmom]

I had two surgeries, one lobectomy for hoarseness and swallowing, then the TT after they found cancer.  You are right, no need to keep your thyroid if is isn't doing anything for you, and once it is out, they can really get a firm diagnosis.  It is probably not cancerous, but a 3.9 cm nodule is big.  the surgery (both times) was a peice of cake...no pain, overnight in the hospital to watch for calcium and bleeding, hardly any visible scar.  I was up walking two miles after a couple days.  I had to wait for RAI, so they didn't give me thyroid meds for 7 weeks, I felt like the walking dead...I hope you don't have to go through that.  I did throw up after the first surgery and found out that I don't do well on percoset.  All in all, my foot surgery was worse than either tyroid surgery.  Good luck!