Thyroid surgery due soon

[BaileyHorse]

I am listed for surgery next month for partial removal of thyroid due to a thyroid cyst that when aspirated recently has come back with some abnormal cells. Have had the cyst itself for years and it’s quite a lump in my neck (the cyst they think is about 3-4cm) and honestly I hate it so am glad it’s being removed in one sense, but also now nervous for op the closer it gets!

Just wondered how people have found the op? Looking on here at previous posts I had read that some have had a drain but know I def won’t have one.

How is life post op with less thyroid? Have you had to take the additional drugs in most cases or have bloods shown ok so far? And have you noticed any other impact on you (e.g. weight gain?)?

Am due to be off work for 2 weeks and have sorted school drop offs and dog walking for the first week, do we think that’ll be ok?

Any intel / advice would be much appreciated! I am a planner/like to be organised so trying to prep myself…thanks so much all x

Thank you am so glad to hear yours reduced and that this is all normal. Felt like I was pretty prepared going in but always these kinds of things that are a surprise! Thanks for your response x

Sorry me again! 🙈

only other thing I didn’t ask about was swollen neck/jawline area…is this also common that others have experienced? I’m feeling slightly hamster like at the moment. All fun and games 🥺🐹

Yes that was normal for me - everything was quite puffy! I’ve attached a photo from 10 days post op and today and you can see the difference in swelling.
It’s a daunting process but it will get better I promise xx

Thanks so much for this. All very reassuring to hear this and yours looks amazing now! Again helpful to see as you can’t really tell if I’m honest. Thanks x

Update to this:

I had a second follow up today as the follow up post op found that the lump that was removed was a minimally invasive follicular cancer. Good news is that the lump/cancer is out of course. I had two options which was to have yearly scans/tests on the remaining part of the thyroid or to go back and remove the rest of it. I have chosen the latter so will be back in approx 4-6 weeks for round 2. Initially have been feeling pretty calm about it…but worry starting to set in. I know thyroid cancer has an excellent recovery rate/prognosis but of course that word is scary. And I’m trying to stay positive!

@BaileyHorseI’m so sorry yours turned out that way and of course you’re going to have some anxiety around it. It is great that it was small and they got it all and I really hope the next surgery goes well and you recover quickly x

Hi similar situation I have just posted so guess this is why your story popped up just wondering did they give you a percentage of a cancer risk from your biopsy? sorry to hear it was cancer and hope you’re doing well xx

Hi sorry to hear you are in similar situation. No percentage given in fact Dr was pretty confident it wouldn’t be. Had the lump since 2016 and always been fine until last year. Just unlucky I guess. I’ve got op no 2 in 3 weeks

Thanks tricky isn’t it must have been a shock finding out it was good luck for the next op :-)