Thyroid surgery recovery

After thyroid surgery – thyroid surgery recovery

After you wake up from the anaesthesia you will be moved to your room in the hospital
You may begin drinking liquids and then gradually resume a regular diet
The stitches are dissolving and don’t need to be removed

If you have a thyroid lobectomy, you can expect to be discharged from the hospital the day after surgery
The length of recovery after hemithyroidectomy is variable but often one to two weeks off work are needed
You will need to return for an appointment one week after surgery for a post-op check and review of the surgical pathology results

You may go home when we are sure that your blood levels of calcium are normal
While in the hospital, blood tests may be necessary to check the blood level of calcium
Symptoms of low blood calcium include numbness of the fingers or lips, muscle cramps, or facial twitching – if you or your family notice these symptoms, be sure to notify your nurse. This situation is not uncommon and when it occurs, it is usually short-lived lasting from 1 to 7 days
If low blood calcium levels are confirmed by the blood tests, you will be given oral supplements (usually Caltrate® tablets) until the calcium levels return to normal
In all cases, we’ll let you go home when it is safe
The length of recovery after total thyroidectomy is variable but often one to two weeks off work are needed

Eating: You may eat or drink whatever you like – most people prefer liquids or soft foods, due to the mild sore throat which is normal for 3-7 days following thyroid surgery recovery
Bathing: 24 hours following surgery, you may bathe or shower normally – you do not need to keep the stitches or tapes over the stitches dry; however, when you finish bathing or showering, be sure to pat dry the area of surgery
Medications: You will take an antibiotic for 5 days after surgery – this should be taken as prescribed
Pain medicine: At discharge from the hospital, a prescription for pain medication will be given to you – by the second day after surgery, most people receive adequate pain relief from Panadeine®; however, if you need prescription-strength medicine to be comfortable, you should take it
If you need prescription pain medicine, be sure to take it with food to prevent upset stomach. Do not take aspirin, Nurofen or NSAIDS, which may increase the risk of bleeding
Driving after thyroid surgery: You should not drive for at least 1 week following thyroid surgery – this is because the muscles of the neck will be sore, which makes it difficult for you to drive safely

Your first office visit will occur 7-10 day after surgery – at this time, we will discuss the results of the pathology report (tests done on the thyroid gland removed at the time of surgery)
Your second office visit will occur approximately 6 weeks after surgery to ensure that your thyroid surgery wound is healing well and your recovery is progressing appropriately