total thyroidectomy-afraid!!!

[SECRET29]

In a few weeks i m going to have a total thyroidectomy......i am scared!!

[SECRET29]

i ve done it!!!! 2 days ago. i am ok!

[SuzieQTT]

After getting a second and third opinion...I am almost 7 months post Total Thyroidectomy and to be honest the med adjustment afterwards was worse than getting over the surgery.  I am doing pretty well right now...working on getting my exercise level up to a productive level...but still doing well.  I just suggest that you rest, get a neck pillow and take care of yourself.  Oh yeah, ask questions...any questions that come to mind...no such thing as a ridiculous question.  If your immune system has been compromised in any way...I would not recommend getting a root canal for 6 months to a year after surgery.  I did and had 4 months of problems...infections and finally an extraction because it would heal right.  
Hope this helps and if you have any more questions just ask anyone here, your doctors office but be cautious what you read on the internet. Some of it can be misleading.
SuzieQTT

[Thypatient]

I hope you continue to do some searching and reaching out, as you have.  This should help allay your fears.  I wasn't feel too well before the surgery so I didn't do a lot of this but in reading and looking up things afterward I saw that my experience went similarly.  There is some great information out there and some web-sites even include media tutorials and videos that are really helpful.  I had a total thyroidectomy/parathyroidectomy in 8/06 and life is more mangeable than I would have thought - it sure beats the alternative.  Aren't we lucky we live in a time where this kind of medical intervention and care is possible.

Good luck.  Thoughts and best wishes are with you.

[utahmomma]

I have actually had the surgery twice and it isn't that big of a deal.  Everyone here has given you great advice (watch for calcium drop and ask for a small intubation tube).  I've had 8 (or is it nine?) surgeries and my thyroid surgeries were, by far, the easiest.

I found out after my first surgery that it was cancerous.  Actually that wasn't too difficult to deal with (at the time) either because I knew that it was "out" when they found it.

Give us a bit more info about your situation and we may be able to answer more of your questions.


We are here for you!!

[lenosan]

I want to tell you I had a total thyroidectomy while in the Army over 20 years ago due to thyroid cancer.  I have permanent hypothyroidism but can work just have to take care of myself.  It is scary I agree.  Do you have family or friends to give you support?  I will keep your situation in my prayers.-***@****

[Joni65]

I also had a TT on 12/21/07 and I was nervous also!  I had a sore throat also from being intubated during the procedure and my neck muscles were sore!  They will give you pain medication and make you comfortable.  I was eating normal the next day too!!  If you have any sensations of pins and needles in your body or tingling sensation after the surgery make sure you let the Doctor or Nurse know right away!  It could be a drop in calcium which happed with me and all they have to do is give you some calcium and it goes away!  My neck was swollen for a few days, but its not that bad!  

GOOD LUCK  

Joni

[whittie918]

Most of what Liz94 said is ditto for me.  I had strep throat that felt worse than the pain I had after surgery.  Thats just me though.  I personally could have had the surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on a Monday. The nausea for me too from the anesthesia.  I had a bit of calcium adjustment issues too but in time it subsided.  Same same for the sneezing/coughing thing too.  Had to hold a towel to my incision to do so, it hurt to sneeze.

[Liz94]

Well, I can personally tell you there is nothing to be scared of.  I was scared out of my mind, physically ill for the week prior to it, couldn't sleep, just worked up into a panic. And it wasn't anything like I made it to be in my head.  I had my TT on 12/21. The worst part, and I think everyone will say this, is the the sore throat from the nasty breathing tube! I've had surgery twice in my life...once many years ago for a breast augmentation (young and stupid) and I had a vaginal hysterectomy. The pain upon waking up was the worst thing in life. I was scared of THAT feeling. Well my TT surgery was at 10am, I woke up in a room at about 1:30ish and I felt no pain at all except when I swallowed, like having tonsilitis.  I really do think the worst part for me was the lingering nausea from the anesthesia, I'm very sensitive to it and I knew it would be an issue for me. But pain?  No. Discomfort? A little. The sore throat lasted about 3 days but it didn't affect my eating. I came home the next day and made FOOD!  Then I had a little discomfort when sneezing, yawning, and turning my head. But that was gone very quickly. I hope this helps.

[ChitChatNine]

Why are they removing it if I may ask?  The waiting for your surgery date is worse than the procedure .. many will be able to share their stories on the board for you I am sure.

I had a partial a year ago .. my other side decided not to function after the surgery so I'm on Synthroid .. the med adjustment was worse than the actual surgery which never needed any at-home pain meds more than Tylenol.  It is not like other surgeries which burn and sting in pain afterwards ... it is more like a golf ball and tight sensation and sore throat from the tube (not the procedure believeit or not) and soft foods for 48hrs.

Cheryl (partial 1/9   TSH 1.7 88 mcgs Synthroid)