What to Expect After Thyroid Surgery?

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. This gland helps control the rate at which your body functions and how your body works. It produces hormones that are transported through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.

Thyroid hormones tell the body how fast to work and how to use energy.

When you're healthy, your thyroid works like an air conditioner; it kicks in when needed and shuts off when necessary. It stops producing thyroid hormone when there's enough hormone in the blood. It starts working again when the body needs more hormone.

Sometimes the thyroid gland works more than it should and doesn't stop working when it needs to. This is called hyperthyroidism . Your doctor may recommend surgery to treat this condition. Other reasons for surgery include treating thyroid cancer or removing thyroid nodules.

Operation

We always discuss the benefits and risks of surgery in detail with our patients. We will discuss with you, using current scientific data and your test results, how much of your thyroid gland needs to be removed, and together we will make a decision. The surgical incision is approximately 4–10 cm long, depending on the type of operation, and is usually made along the natural skin fold of your neck.

The surgery takes 1-3 hours , depending on the complexity of the operation, and is performed under general anesthesia . You will be discharged after a one-day hospital stay following the surgery.

How will I feel after the surgery?

• Your throat may hurt when you swallow. This is normal and may last for 1-2 days . Warm or cold drinks and iced foods can help relieve this discomfort.

• Your voice may be hoarse or weak, and you may feel your voice tires easily. Your pitch or tone may change, and you may have difficulty singing. This usually resolves within 6 weeks .

• You may feel a lump in your throat when swallowing. This feeling usually subsides within a few days, but it can last for 6–8 weeks .

• Numbness in the skin under the chin or over the incision is normal and will go away within a few weeks.

• Depending on the position of your head during surgery, you may experience pain in the back of your neck. Using 1-2 pillows while lying down or placing a heating pad behind your neck may provide relief.

• After surgery, you may experience mood changes, emotional fluctuations, depression, restlessness, weakness, or fatigue. These symptoms usually resolve within a few weeks . During the first 1-2 weeks, you may feel more tired than usual and need to nap during the day.

  
  

Pain

Tenderness at the incision site is expected. You will be prescribed appropriate pain medication upon discharge. Don't hesitate to take the pain medication. Applying ice to the incision site for 48 hours can also reduce pain and swelling. Eating soft foods, drinking cold beverages, and resting your voice can help reduce pain.

Wound Care

Check your wound daily. Watch out for signs of infection:

• Widespread redness or swelling

• Foul-smelling discharge or inflammation

• An oral temperature above 38°C

Your wound has been closed with absorbable stitches for an aesthetically pleasing result.

You can shower two days after being discharged. However, do not rub the incision with soap or a loofah until the wound is completely healed. Do not apply cream or lotion to the incision.

Mild swelling at the incision site is normal and will subside within 4–6 weeks . The pink scar will lighten over time and will noticeably fade within 6–12 months .

Protect the scar from sun exposure for the first 6 months to 1 year ; use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher , or cover it with a scarf. Sunlight can darken the scar.

General Precautions

• You can drive once you can turn your neck from side to side without pain.

• Do not lift more than 9 kg during the first week.

• Avoid strenuous exercise other than walking during the first week.

• Do not swim or enter the bathtub/sea for 14 days .

  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

What time can I dine?

• You can resume your normal diet once you get home. If you have a sore throat, choose cold and soft foods.

When can I take a bath?

• You can shower two days after being discharged. We do not recommend swimming or spending time in water for 14 days .

When can I exercise?

• Light exercises are suitable. Avoid heavy exercise, strain, and excessive neck bending during the first week. Do not lift more than 9 kg during the first week.

When can I return to work?

• You can return when you feel ready. Most people return to work within a week . If your job involves heavy lifting, you may need two weeks of leave . You will be provided with the necessary sick leave certificate in this regard.

When will I get my pathology results?

• The results are usually available within a week . The results will be shared with you during your post-operative check-up.

Medicines and Supplements

The parathyroid glands are four small glands located near the thyroid and regulate calcium in the blood. If your entire thyroid has been removed, these glands may temporarily not function adequately, and your blood calcium levels may drop.

If you experience numbness and tingling in your face, lips, fingertips, or toes, take two calcium tablets . Symptoms should subside within 30 minutes .

• If it doesn't improve, take two more calcium tablets .

• If the condition does not improve after the second dose, seek medical attention .

Calcium and pain relievers can cause constipation . To prevent this, you can use stool softeners along with fiber-rich foods .

When should you go to the emergency room?

• Although rare , if you experience shortness of breath, sudden swelling in your throat, or difficulty swallowing, call 112 and go to the nearest emergency room.

• Numbness or tingling that does not resolve despite two additional doses of calcium.

• Severe pain that doesn't go away despite taking painkillers.

• Signs of infection

• Two temperature readings taken 4 hours apart showing a reading above 38.0°C (101.4°F)

• Any symptoms that worry you

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