[jrusin70]

#1018207

Hi, after reading many of the posts on this message board I decided on surgery. I’m having it the first week of January. I did lots of searchs on hear but can’t find what to expect right after surgery. How do you feel? What is the down time, when can you eat? Stuff like that. Can anyone help me with that. I’m very scared about the surgery but feel its the best choice for me. Thanks :

[snelsen]

#1063259

Hello, and welcome to this great site. Have you used the search box at the top right hand side of the bulletin board?
It is very helpful, and I remember some relatively recent posts (I think last summer) describing how they did after their surgery.
I made the same decision you did, but my surgery was a long time ago, although my post op recovery was similar to the recent posts. Welcome to the world of "normal," regarding feeling apprehensive about your surgery. If they offer you something to relax when you are waiting to go to the OR, take it. It is a great drug. I have worked in the pre-op area in a hospital, plus I have had several surgeries, and it magically helps you forget that you are anxious.

It is so typical of the surgical experience to not have the information of what it is really like at home in the immediate post op period. So you have found the right place to hear from others who have had the same experience.
Here’s my experience….. My neck was sore and stiff, primarily from the positioning during the surgery. It is kind of like when you ski hard on the first day of the season, and all your muscles tell you about it the next day. I found that my throat was a a bit sore, so I had food easy to eat that required less chewing action, for a few days. It is typical of any surgery to be surprised by how tired you are in the post op period. In the second week, I thought I felt just fine, but I tended to fade in the early afternoon, and be very interested in a short nap, or at least lying down for a few minutes. I went back to work (a strenuous job in a hospital as a RN on a med-surg floor) and that was the dumbest thing I did, for I was exhausted. If your life allows it, try to take advantages of that glorious time off, and stay home at least a month, even more if you have the sick leave. If I had it to do over again, I would take as much time as I could get, then use part of the sick leave for a nice vacation, or do projects that I never had time to do. Regarding the incision, I have to look to find it, and I have to point it out to anyone who wants to see it It is a non-issue for most people. In summary, you can eat lightly the day of surgery, if you want to, whatever seems good to you. You may not be very hungry. I had a five month old, and I definitely welcomed the help with him, plus having my mom cook meals and do the laundry. I pretty much was doing everything in a week, but I sure was tired. I am sure you will hear from others, I cannot recall the names for sure, but I think Cynthia and lch11 (probably wrong letters) both had recent surgeries. Type in "surgery" and or "thyroidectomy" in the search engine.
Oh yes, I did not feel hyper after the surgery, but there is a time that there might be too much hormone that has been stored, circulating around for a few weeks until that is used up. Write with more questions.
Shirley

[love2cook]

#1063260

Hi. I had surgery on Monday Nov 29th. I feel good for all that I have been thru. I had excellent care. I spent one night in the hospital to monitor calcium. Mine is low at the moment, not unusual. I am taking Calcium +Vitamin D and tums. I have a sore throat, a little pain at the incision sight, a little swelling. Overall it was not bad. I was a bit shocked at the pain when I woke up…a little worse than I had expected. My throat was very sore but feels much better today.

I hope that all goes well for you.

This is a great sight. I would like to thank all the people that have responded to my posts and offered encouragement.

[carlydm]

#1063261

hi there,

I had surgery February 2006. I was pretty embarrased after having a few visitors when I looked into the mirror and saw a maxipad around my neck. I can laugh about it now – there are more uses for them than I imagined.

I felt good for a few weeks but my surgeon didn’t put me on any replacement hormone so at about the third week I crashed and hit rock bottom – my TSH was +56 and I remember being out for a long walk and at one point I could barely walk across the road I had so little energy. So make sure you are really being monitored and ask if you will be receiving replacement hormone soon after your surgery. It took me quite a while to feel normal level wise so make sure you do take full advantage of sick time after surgery. I took the full six weeks and actually could have used more with how my levels were so messed up. I was given 200mcg of Synthroid to lowel my 56 TSH but it was too much and sent my levels to the other extreme.

My scar is barely noticeable at all now. For the first few months I covered my scar and wore scarves as I was self conscious. If people asked I told them I was in a bar fight and they should see the other girl! lol (kidding with them of course). I don’t regret having surgery at all and I feel it was the best option as I have TED also and was told that RAI can worsen TED. Well Good Luck with your surgery and take care of yourself – don’t go back to work too soon what ever you do. Take lots of time for healing your body.

Happy Holidays!
Carla

[Thila]

#1063262

I know that I am posting this a little late, but maybe you will see it. I had my surgery nine days ago. My surgeon said to plan on being out of work for ten work days which would end up being two weeks. I am feeling pretty good at this point but I know that everyone is different.

I thought they were going to put me on a liquid diet for a few days afterward but they told me no dietary restrictions. I still chose to eat really soft foods for a few days such as Cream of Wheat, apple sauce, Boost drinks, etc. I told the nurses that the inside of my throat hurt more than the actual incision site when I was in the hospital but really it wasn’t that bad. I was in the hospital for one day for them to monitor my calcium levels. I think I took one pain pill the night I came home but that was it. My mom stayed with me a few days afterward at my house then I told her to go home. I was able to operate independently within a few days.

I was scared too but it was the right decision for me and my situation. I don’t regret it one bit. Hope that helps.

[Author]

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