I had mine done in summer 2025 for a big toxic nodule. Like yours, it was pressing on my windpipe and causing lots of compressive symptoms. It also made me very hyperthyroid. Since the op my thyroid is mostly quite well behaved.
I had also never had surgery under a general prior to this op so I was extremely nervous. They did do the camera up the nose but they gave me midazolam for it so I was completely off my face.
The larger your nodule is, the more rummaging they will have to do. I woke up feeling like I was pleasantly tipsy. Afterwards they need to check your calcium is OK and that your parathyroids are fine too, I think this was bloods after I'd left hospital. They will biopsy it for cancer, they do for anything they remove, but I had to wait three months to be told I didn't have cancer - which tbf was apparently quite obvious from my ultrasound. They didn't do a needle biopsy for me either because either way it needed evicting.
I was in hospital for a night, once the pain kicked in it was like a really bad sore throat, but external rather than internal (if that makes sense). Was OK to be eating mousse and soup, had some sort of chicken stew rhe next day too. Then lots of soft foods at home and a v shaped pillow. Iirc I could wean myself off the painkillers quite quickly but really needed them at first.
Whether it's the anaesthetic or the surgery or the painkillers, I was shattered afterwards for a couple of weeks- take all the recommended time off work if you can. I would just be dropping off to sleep randomly (!)
Scar wise: yes, it is a big scar on your neck. Yes, it is very noticeable at first. But they try their absolute best to make it as subtle as possible and mine is nearly invisible just over a year after surgery. Get some nice scarves if you like!
Finally: voice. I sing soprano in a choir so was terrified they'd damage my vocal cords. They didn't, and I was speaking and singing pretty normally a few weeks later although I've had some voice lessons to help me recover. In the event your voice needs more help they will refer you to speech therapy with a specialist.
Edited in case relevant - you can drive as soon as you're normal levels of alert and can comfortably fully turn your head for observations. This took me approx 3 weeks to be able to turn without slight pain or jerkiness.
In summary: you WILL be fine. It is very nerve wracking but ultimately you just have to turn up and then they will take care of it all. And it feels so good to be able to swallow normally! Good luck!