hemithyroidectomy

[Jodie782]

hello, I have a very large nodule on my thyroid and was put on a waiting list for surgery last year. I’ve just contacted my consultant this week as it’s been 10 months, and it’s grown so much I can barely breathe. They have just called me today to book in for an ultrasound tomorrow- I’m assuming and hoping it’s going to be soon now. I just would like to know what happens now? if anyone has any advice who have had this operation - what tests do they do before the surgery and what to expect. I’ve never had an operation before and as much as I want this thing out I am terrified!

Hi OP. I'm currently recovering from my Hemithyroidectomy which I had on Tuesday.
My wait was quite quick as I have a suspicious nodule (U4 Thy3f) although I'm hoping I'm lucky and it turns out benign. Won't know for another few weeks.

I was in hospital overnight. Theatre was 3 hours, and I woke up with a neck drain in.

I was sore and tired and needed painkillers the first few hours and during the night.

Now I'm just various shades of colours with all the bruising coming through!

Honestly don't feel too bad at all just really tired. Throat is scratchy but I can eat and drink fine.

I bought a v pillow to sleep on and that has been a godsend.

Drain came out 24hrs later, a bit stinging as she pulled it out but nothing awful.

Stitches due to come out on Tuesday at my GP surgery.

Honestly it's a fairly simple operation and for me it's fatigue that is the worst part but I already have several other physical issues which compound this so I knew it would take me a while to get over.

I developed a cough and had lots of phlegm the next day which has now settled. They said this was due to throat irritation.

The only thing now is I've discovered it hurts to yawn and I need to hold my neck incidion when I sneeze cos that hurts!!

You will be absolutely fine OP, please don't be scared. They do this procedure all the time, the staff will look after you. The Dr's and nurses I had were all fantastic.

Thank you so much for taking time to explain, it’s made me feel better knowing what to expect. I really hope your outcome is benign! I had my ultrasound earlier, they said it’s grown much bigger and will need to come out sooner! So hopefully won’t have to wait much longer. I’m definitely going to order a v neck pillow tonight, I’ve heard a few say it’s a godsend after!

I hope everything goes smoothly for you. I'm sure it will. The V neck pillow is definitely the best piece of advice; also take button top/shirt pjs for the ward and button top tshirts/blouse to come home in. You can't get stuff over your head easily so that was another top tip especially with the neck drain in the way.

Sooner its out the better, you will feel so much better once its been done. Pre-op is a bood test and get weighed etc, assess any regular meds.

On the day they make you do a pregnancy test if you're under 55. Made me laugh, not had sex for years 🤣.

Ward can be noisy so ear plugs and eye mask can help.

I also took a few snack bars as I'm diabetic and I felt weak and hungry as anesthesia wore off so a 3am snack was much appreciated.

Take care and feel free to ask anything else. 😊

Also crocs or sliders are good...no need to bend and tie laces!

I’ve had one. I stayed in for two nights as the drain was still draining after 24 hours. I also suggest getting a v pillow. I had a serious headache for a week or so afterwards and my GP said it was because of the position they put your neck in during surgery. Recovery went smoothly though.

I’ve had a hemithyroidectomy just removing one lobe. No drains. No pain killers required after and once home. Could drive within 3days. The hardest part for me was the sore throat from the breathing tube, reminded me of armbands…that smell! I had internal stitches and glue so scar healed fast. Was advised to ensure covered up in sun and eventually use spf on it to avoid keloid scars. I also used a silicone gel on the scar which helped it fade fast as I felt a bit self conscious (work as a nurse so everybody asked about it). Overall a positive experience and I now wonder why I was so anxious beforehand. I’ve had worse blood tests!

Thank you that’s some really good advice and tips there. I live in crocs! I have just ordered a new pillow, I got a feeling my surgery will be in the next few weeks, they looked a bit concerned when they was doing the scan today saying it needs to come out soon.

I hope your results is good news!

Thank you, that sounds a breeze apart from sore throat I’m glad it wasn’t too bad for you. My job is physical and I work alone, I am hoping I can go back after a couple of weeks. I’m so glad you have replied it’s made me feel so much better and not as worried as I was.

I was referred for a hemi. I was determined to get the whole thing yanked out. My thyroid was so diseased, taking out half seemed ridiculous. Thankfully at the consultation, my surgeon had the same idea and was planning to convince me I needed a full. It was a remarkably quick meeting of the minds.

What I wasn’t prepared for was how difficult it would be to swallow after and how unprepared the hospital would be to provide food that worked for me. I asked for things like broth and they didn’t even have that, just stock cubes.

I also accidentally lost most of my parathyroids and shocked the one remaining. They will warn you about this. If it happens, don’t ignore the symptoms. Follow the instructions immediately. I was shocked at how fast I went from fine to almost dying.

Thank you the more I hear real life stories the more I don’t feel as worried about the surgery. I’ve just ordered my pillow hopefully it will help. Sorry to hear you suffered with a headache after.

Oh and i also wanted to mention the scar. I initially refused to look at it when they removed my bandages. I have very pale skin that tends to really show these things and I was terrified.

It was barely anything. It is my least noticeable scar at this point. It took time to get to that faded, but it was never bad.

Thank you for replying, oh gosh that doesn’t sound good! I hope you’re okay now? I will keep that in mind thank you for explaining the bad stuff that can also happen.

I think I’m going to take some packet of soup and lots of water in just in case I have to stay in.

Thank you this is also my worry as I’m very pale too! Luckily it’s getting colder soon so I can cover up more.

Hi I had this op 10 weeks ago.
The op itself was fine but i have found the recovery to be longer than I expected.
It's not really painful but still quite uncomfortable at night. My scar feels like it's pulling sometimes and occasionally stings a bit.
But overall it's been okay and I'm glad I had it done. Mine was because I needed a parathyroidectomy and it was stuck to the thyroid.
Hope it goes well for you OP.

I treated myself to a nice necklace that was the perfect length.

Thank you It’s good to hear what to expect as I know everyone’s recovery is going to be different. I really would like to be back at work after two weeks but if I’m not ready I won’t be. They have cover on standby so it’s not a problem having more time off than expected. Glad it went well for you.

Oh I love this!

I did the same!

Great idea I think I will do the same 🫢

Is it a goitre that you have?
I had that a very large nodule pushing on my windpipe and I had a hemithyroidectomy done a few years ago.
The plan was to do a full removal but mine was also growing downwards and very large and took hours so they only did the one side.
However, unfortunately the other side then grew a large noodle and that needs treating.
I was in for 4 nights due to the drain still showing too much liquid/blood.
The scar is hardly noticeable and I’m pale.

I’m not actually sure if I do or not, they have just said I have a large cystic nodule on my right side and middle part of thyroid. I was going to have ablation done, it’s a new procedure and my hospital does them but because it’s so big and growing rapidly I chose to have half removed. Yours sounds like mine pushing on my windpipe. My thyroid results were normal but I do have symptoms!

ilovebrie8 - I would be gutted having to go through it again. Has your remaining thyroid been working well since?

I had this op about 4 years ago - in and out the same day.

Originally booked in for a full removal on the urgent pathway post-needle biopsy, which apparently was highly suspect. But on the day was met by a strangely gleeful surgeon who announced he would take half and that I would be first on his list.

When I came round, I had no drain and no dressing, which I thought was odd, but was apparently normal for them. I was sent home with antibiotic ointment (the one used for conjunctivitis) and told to get my own painkillers. I applied it with cotton buds to prevent contamination.

Main drawback before leaving was the only food available was tomato and chilli soup, or salad! So yes, take your own food.

Now I have to really search for my scar, it healed beautifully. And make sure you get painkillers that aren’t round tablets! Capsules or caplet shaped are easier to swallow.

Oh, and they forgot to tell me that the lump was non-cancerous and I only found out when I went back for the post-op consultation (camera up the nose thing which was the worst part of the whole journey, imho).

Hope yours is just as smooth.

The camera up the nose is the worst thing. The op was okay.

Oh that would be absolutely amazing if this is the same for me! I’m glad it went so well for you and wasn’t cancerous! I am dreading the actual surgery I’ve never had one before.
Definitely will be bringing a bag of goodies hopefully il be able to eat after. Thank you ☺️