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Thyroid gland removal - discharge

Total thyroidectomy - discharge; Partial thyroidectomy - discharge; Thyroidectomy - discharge; Subtotal thyroidectomy - discharge

Definition

You had surgery to remove part or all of your thyroid gland. This operation is called thyroidectomy.

Now that you're going home, follow the surgeon's instructions on how to care for yourself while you heal.

When You're in the Hospital

Depending on the reason for the surgery, either all or part of your thyroid was removed.

You may be able to go home the day of surgery or spend a night in the hospital.

What to Expect at Home

You may have a drain with a bulb coming from your incision. This drain removes any blood or other fluids that might build up in this area.

You may have some pain and soreness in your neck at first, especially when you swallow. Your voice may be a little hoarse for the first week. You will probably be able to start your everyday activities in just a few weeks.

If you had thyroid cancer, you may need to have radioactive iodine treatment soon.

Get plenty of rest when you get home. Keep your head raised while you are sleeping for the first week.

Managing Your Pain

Your surgeon may have prescribed a narcotic pain medicine. Or, you may take over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Take your pain medicines as instructed.

You may put a cold compress on your surgical cut for 15 minutes at a time to ease pain and swelling. Do not put the ice directly on your skin. Wrap the compress or ice in a towel to prevent cold injury to the skin. Keep the area dry.

Wound Care

Follow instructions on how to care for your incision.

If the incision was covered with skin glue or surgical tape strips, you may shower with soap the day after surgery. Pat the area dry. The tape will fall off after a few weeks.
If your incision was closed with stitches, ask your surgeon when you can shower.
If you have a drainage bulb, empty it 2 times a day. Keep track of the amount of fluid you empty each time. Your surgeon will tell you when it is time to remove the drain.
Change your wound dressing the way your nurse showed you.

Your Diet During Recovery

You can eat whatever you like after surgery. Try to eat healthy foods. You may find it hard to swallow at first. If so, it may be easier to drink liquids and eat soft foods such as pudding, gelatin, mashed potatoes, apple sauce, or yogurt.

Pain medicines can cause constipation. Eating high-fiber foods and drinking plenty of fluids will help make your stools softer. If this does not help, try using a fiber product. You can buy this at a drug store.

Activity

Give yourself time to heal. Do not do any strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting, jogging, or swimming for the first few weeks.

Slowly start your normal activities when you feel ready. Do not drive if you are taking narcotic pain medicines.

Cover your incision with clothing or very strong sunscreen when you are in the sun for the first year after surgery. This will help make your scar less visible.

Thyroid Hormone Replacement

You may need to take thyroid hormone medicine for the rest of your life to replace your natural thyroid hormone.

You may not need hormone replacement if only part of your thyroid was removed.

See your health care provider for regular blood tests and to go over your symptoms. Your provider may change the dosage of your hormone medicine based on your blood tests and symptoms.

You may not start thyroid hormone replacement right away, especially if you had thyroid cancer.

Follow-up

You will probably see your surgeon in about 2 weeks after surgery. If you have stitches or a drain, your surgeon will remove them.

You may need long-term care from an endocrinologist. This is a doctor who treats problems with glands and hormones.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider if you have:

Increased soreness or pain around your incision
Redness or swelling of your incision
Bleeding from your incision
Fever of 100.5°F (38°C), or higher
Chest pain or discomfort
A weak voice
Difficulty eating
A lot of coughing
Numbness or tingling in your face or lips

References

Ahmad FI, Zafereo ME, Lai SY. Management of thyroid neoplasms. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 122.

Liddy W, Bonilla-Velez J, Triponez F, Kamani D, Randolph G. Principles in thyroid surgery. In: Randolph GW, ed. Surgery of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 31.

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Review Date: 3/11/2023

Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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