|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

What to Expect After Thyroid Surgery

If a patient's thyroid gland is cancerous, enlarged or overactive, a doctor may choose to remove it or a portion of it. Thyroid surgery usually requires a day-long hospital stay and temporary discomfort.

  1. Immediately After Surgery

    • Thyroid surgery requires anesthesia, so after the operation, the hospital staff will take the patient to a recovery room and monitor his vital signs as he regains consciousness.

    In The Hospital Room

    • There may be a drain under the incision in the neck. The doctor usually takes this out the following morning.

    How Will You Feel?

    • A patient's throat will be sore and his voice will be hoarse, but he will be able to eat and drink normally.

    Hospital Stay

    • Most patients stay in the hospital for one to three days after surgery and return to all normal activity within a couple of weeks.

    Long-Term Care

    • Most thyroidectomy patients require hormone replacement pills after surgery. The doctor will determine dosage by taking a blood test.

Surgeries - Related Articles