Nina, I suggest you discuss your concerns about a thyroidectomy with a surgeon who does these procedures. This is the only way you can get reliable answers to the kinds of questions you are asking about the frequency of complications you’re worried about.
Do the panel of 20 endocrinologists who think thyroidectomy is the best treatment choice for you know about all the issues in your health history? If so, I’d think you can feel reasonably confident (pending verification by a surgeon) that thyroidectomy is a safe choice for you with your age and health issues. (I certainly hope 66 isn’t old enough for age to be a factor. It’s beginning to sound VERY young to me!!)
Be certain to find a surgeon who performs thyroidectomies frequently and has a low complication rate (1% or less is ideal; 2% is acceptable). Be certain to ask; the surgeon is required to keep track and if he’s not proud of his record, you need to go somewhere else anyway. Most complications are either damage to the nerve to the vocal cords or parathyroid glands, usually temporary but can be permanent. Deaths from this procedure in this day and age are approaching zero. Still, as with any surgery there is the possibiity of problems with anesthesia, wound infection, excess bleeding, excess scarring, and the ususual post-surgical problems, which as you say, you’re familiar with.
However, most people go through the surgery with no serious problems, recover quickly, and have a relatively speedy adjustment when thyroid replacement hormone is needed. I’ve talked to some people who were very pleased they chose thyroidectomy.
Again, please talk to a really good surgeon. I hope you get the answers you need that will give you some reassurance.
Dianne W
Online Facilitator
