Total thyroidectomy?

[shesaminiaturephilosopher]

After a couple of years of suffering with Graves disease, I'm finally having my thyroid out next week. Which is obviously brilliant, but at my pre-op the nurse couldn't answer any of my questions! So now I'm a bit panicked because I don't know what to expect.

How much does it hurt? And does having the drain make it worse? Does the drain feel awful coming out?

Basically, if you've had a thyroidectomy, how did you find it, and what was your recovery like?

TIA

Can't answer your questions as I'm dodging the op myself (radioactive iodine failed, was that ever an option for you?) but interested in the responses and wanted to wish you luck.

I've had a partial thyroidectomy. Not sure if it would be worse for a total one. It was a while ago but i don't remember it being that bad. I can remember going back to work too soon afterwards though and then needing some more time off. So do follow the advice in terms of recovery time. They let me control my own morphine in the hospital but never actually needed it as it wasnt as painful as expected. Think i was in for about 3 days. And the staples in the neck were a little off putting to look at but meant I got lots of sympathy. And they came out easily enough when it was time.

I had 2 partial thyroidectomies. The first one removed the tumour and 6 months later they went back for the rest of the thyroid. Second time round was much worse, as I knew what was coming.

It isn't that bad. When you get the drain removed, be sure to breath out as they are removing it. They will prompt you for this. The hardest part for me was the blood tests, as I have crap veins and they couldn't use a tourniquet. I scared one junior doctor off completely!

Don't worry about it. It isn't a huge operation as things go. You might develop a haematoma on your voice box, as I did after the 2nd operation, but it doesn't last forever (although it can feel like it does!). Other than that, it was pretty straightforward. Good luck.

There's an autoimmune topic now, might be worth posting there too?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/autoimmune_disease

Like Littlecandle I've had 2 ops to remove my thyroid. First op took out what turned out to be a tumour. 2nd op was a bigger op which removed the rest and scraped out the surrounding Tumor area.
Both operations I didn't have a drain in after. It depends on your surgeon/bleeding etc. Whether you need one in. Both operations I was just in overnight. Had wound surgically glued and surface stitched. Went to gp a week later to get them removed and butterfly stiches put on.

Have you had a general anaesthetic before ? Ask the anaesthesiologist when they come found before the operation for anti sickness meds to be given before they wake your up. I was very sick after the first operation, not the best thing when you've had a threat incision !
Your neck will feel stiff afterwards. I had no problems eating after but my throat was a bit sore and rough feeling much like having a sore throats with a cold. Your voice might be a bit gruff or low but it gets better pretty quickly.
I was off work for about a month with the first operation and 6/7 weeks with the second as my job at the time involved lifting.

Good luck with your op. X

Misskitty I was in for a week both times, but this was in the dark ages 21 years ago. I had a drain both times, too. I also vomit after a general if woken too soon, but fortunately by then had an anaesthesiologist who had worked on me a couple of times and knew exactly what to do to minimise (they've never stopped me barfing no matter what they do) the vomiting.

Mine was almost 7 years ago littlecandle . I puked after the first operation which wasn't pleasant so for the 2nd operation I got a few different anti sickness drugs put in before I got woken up.