[Kimberly]

#1176752

Hello – I’ve *never* heard or read anything about not being able to digest carbs post-thyroid surgery, but hopefully, you will hear from some of our regular posters on whether or not they have experienced this issue.

Whether your wife has a hospital stay will depend on the surgeon…it can either be an overnight stay or a same-day discharge.

This site has a referral search engine for thyroid surgeons:

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following linsk, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://endocrinesurgery.org/membership/findmember.html

Are you asking about the robotic surgical procedure where the incision is in the armpit? This is worth asking your surgeon about, although we’ve had contact with three different thyroid surgeons in the last 18 months or so who were not fans of this procedure. The concern is that you are actually cutting through *more* tissue to get to the thyroid and that the process currently is associated with a higher rate of complications than traditional surgery. At one point, there was an issue with the FDA clearance for using the Da Vinci robot for thyroid surgery, although it’s possible this has since been cleared up.

Also, as you and your wife get closer to planning a pregnancy, be aware that the latest guidance from the American Thyroid Association is to test antibodies (TRAb) at 24-28 weeks for all women with a history of Graves’ (regardless of treatment option), with a referral to a maternal-fetal specialist if levels are too far out of range. You can read the full guidance here. The section on antibody testing is on page 1095 of the original journal article (page 15 of the PDF document).

http://thyroidguidelines.net/sites/thyroidguidelines.net/files/file/thy.2011.0087.pdf

Wishing you and your wife all the best!

[adenure]

#1176753

Hi! Congratulations on making a decision and moving forward! That’s a big step. I did not have to stay overnight after surgery, but I think that (in general), most surgeons have the patient stay 24 hours. I went home 4 hours after surgery. I didn’t have a drain put in or anything.

As far as digesting carbs, I’ve never heard of that being a problem. I’m 7 months post surgery, and I eat like I used to. I haven’t gained any weight. I eat healthy and exercise. I splurge on occasion, but I don’t take any drastic measures to maintain my weight.

I take Synthroid (brand) 112mcg for replacement hormone and started 1/4 of a pill of a 5 mcg. Cytomel pill last week (which, I have to say, has made a big difference in my energy level and mood). My free T3 labs were at the very low end of the normal range, so my doctor was fine with me trying a T3 med. along with my Synthroid. Your wife will start out with Synthroid only (most likely) right after surgery and have labs drawn every 6 weeks to see where her levels are at.

After surgery, taking Tums (calcium carbonate) for 3 weeks was advised by my surgeon. Parathyroids regulate calcium levels and they get inflamed after surgery and may not work as well for 3 weeks or so. Mine were not damaged, but I still took the Tums- 4 times a day the 1st week, 3 times a day the 2nd week, and twice a day the 3rd week. It’s a precaution and Tums can’t hurt you. I took Advil for pain (didn’t need the prescription strength pain relief). If you have a great surgeon, things should go well. Good luck! Also, I had a subcuticular stitch- my scar is barely noticeable.

[Megtimhart]

#1176754

Just want to give you all a update. We just booked my wifes surgery for a TT on monday. We are both anxious and excited to get it over with and continue to heal from graves dieases. Thanks for sll the support and advice. We will update you after surgery.
Tim&meg

[Kimberly]

#1176755

Thanks for stopping by with the update. Wishing you and your wife all the best on this next phase of your journey…definitely keep us posted on how she is doing post-surgery!

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