| Facing the prospect of thyroid surgery can be a bit | | | | In most cases, you will find a small, quarter-inch tube |
| scary. However, it doesn't have to be. The procedure | | | | coming out of the incision. This is a drain that keeps |
| is not uncommon, and you should be able to live a | | | | fluid from building up around the site of the surgery. |
| normal life again not long after the recovery period. | | | | The tube will be removed in one or more days, |
| Here are 5 things you should know about thyroid | | | | depending upon the amount of fluid that continues to |
| surgery recovery: | | | | drain from the area. |
| 1. Certain thyroid conditions can require surgery to | | | | 4. You may experience a sore throat: |
| correct: | | | | For the hours and days after your surgery, you may |
| The thyroid gland regulates important bodily functions | | | | experience a sore throat, especially when swallowing. |
| such as how fast you burn bodily energy. It also | | | | This is completely normally, and the effect should go |
| creates proteins your body needs. And, it controls how | | | | away after some time. |
| sensitive you are to other hormones in your body. | | | | 5. You may stay in the hospital for one or more days: |
| However, certain conditions such as thyroid nodules, | | | | For smaller procedures such as a thyroid lobectomy, |
| thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism can lead to the | | | | you may be discharged from the hospital the day |
| need for surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid | | | | after surgery. For more extensive procedures, you |
| gland. | | | | may go home when the fluid from the drain tube has |
| 2. Surgery requires an incision just above where the | | | | significantly decreased and when your doctor can |
| collarbones join the breast bone: | | | | confirm that your blood calcium levels have returned to |
| Thyroid surgery requires a 3 to 4 inch incision just | | | | normal. |
| above where the collarbone joins the breast bone. The | | | | After your surgery, you may prefer eating soft foods |
| incision line is usually kept as small as possible, so | | | | and drinking lots of liquids. You will likely be administered |
| negative cosmetic affects (i.e., having an ugly scar) are | | | | an antibiotic for up to 5 days after surgery. For one |
| rare. No muscles in the neck are cut, fortunately, even | | | | week, you may not be allowed to drive. |
| if the entire thyroid gland has to be removed. | | | | By taking the proper steps, the pain and inconvenience |
| 3. Immediately after surgery there will may be a drain | | | | during your recovery process can be minimized. |
| tube exiting from your neck: | | | | |