Anyone ever had a total thyroidectomy? I'm curious to know what to expect!?!
Question:
Anyone ever had a total thyroidectomy? I'm curious to know what to expect!?
At Noon tommarow I will be undergoing a four hour surgery in which my whole thyroid will be removed. If anyone knows someone who has had this surgery please share your insights on what I should expect. I know everyone deals and heals different but I just want a general idea. If you've had it or know a doctor or nuse or are one please be as in depth as possible. Thanks!
Answers:
Besides the usual complications of any surgery, which include hemorrhage and infection, after a thyroidectomy you are at risk for thyroid storm (Anxiety, Short attention span, Irritability, Hyper- reflexes, Increased temperature, Increased pulse, Trouble breathing, Chest pain), tetany, respiratory obstruction, laryngeal edema, and vocal cord injury. Although uncommon, respiratory obstruction may result from swelling related to the surgical site. Rarely, vocal cord paralysis may occur from nerve damage. The biggest concern for you is hypoparathyroidism, due to the accidental removal of the parathyroid glands that lie just behind the thyroid lobes.
The main thing to remember is after the surgery support your neck, and when appropriate complete the head and neck exercises that your nurse will teach you. Always report any changes that are abnormal such as muscle twitching, anxiety, short attention span, irritability, Hyper- reflexes, increased temperature, increased pulse, trouble breathing, or chest pain. Voice horaseness, and voice weakness is common after, and should subside in a few days. The wound on neck should fully heal within 6 weeks, you can promote decreased scaring by applying lanolin or vitamin E cream to soften the wound and minimize scaring.
I am assumeing that your PCP has informed you that you will be taking thyroid replacements indefinantly. It is very important to remember to never miss a dose, and to sick with the regiem your PCP explains to you.
I hope this information was helpful to you, and that your surgery is successful, and you recover well.