Surgery and plastic What should I do after thyroidectomy?
How can you care for yourself at home?
- Rest when you feel tired. …
- Try to walk each day. …
- Avoid strenuous physical activity and lifting heavy objects for 3 weeks after surgery or until your doctor says it is okay.
- Do not over-extend your neck backwards for 2 weeks after surgery.
- Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
What can you eat after thyroid surgery?
You can eat whatever you like after surgery. Try to eat healthy foods. You may find it hard to swallow at first. If so, it may be easier to drink liquids and eat soft foods such as pudding, Jello, mashed potatoes, apple sauce, or yogurt.
What are the side effects of removing your thyroid?
Risks
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Low parathyroid hormone levels (hypoparathyroidism) caused by surgical damage or removal of the parathyroid glands. These glands are located behind your thyroid and regulate blood calcium. …
- Airway obstruction caused by bleeding.
- Permanent hoarse or weak voice due to nerve damage.
How should I sleep after thyroid surgery?
Elevate your head as much as possible. Use two pillows when sleeping. This helps prevent strain on the incision and helps to keep swelling down. Some bruising around the incision and slight swelling is normal.
Do you gain weight after thyroidectomy?
It’s considered “normal” to gain 20 pounds after thyroidectomy and Doctors tell patients that this is normal and in the same breath then say that the thyroid isn’t causing the weight gain.
What foods should I avoid after thyroidectomy?
A low-iodine diet requires avoiding foods like:
- Iodized salt.
- Dairy foods, including cheese, milk, yogurt, ice cream, and butter.
- Packaged breads and baked goods.
- Chocolate.
- The skins of potatoes.
- Fish and seafood, and other sea products like seaweed and kelp.
Can you talk after thyroid removal?
Voice. Your voice may be hoarse or weak at first because the surgery took place near the voice box but usually recovers within weeks. Some patients also notice a change in the pitch of their voices that affects singing. Rarely these changes are permanent.
Why do I feel so tired after thyroidectomy?
This medication is identical to the hormones normally made by the thyroid gland and performs all the same functions. Without hormone therapy, you would develop signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, a condition that results from a lack of T4 and T3. The primary symptoms are fatigue and sluggishness.
Is thyroidectomy a major surgery?
A thyroidectomy is a treatment for a variety of diseases, disorders and conditions of the thyroid gland. A thyroidectomy is a common but major surgery with serious risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options.
Does thyroid removal shorten life expectancy?
Overall 14% of the patients had reduced life expectancy. There was no reduction in life expectancy for those younger than age 45, but it was reduced in those older than age 45, especially in those over age 60.
How can I lose weight with no thyroid?
Use these six strategies to jump-start weight loss with hypothyroidism.
- Cut Out Simple Carbs and Sugars. …
- Eat More Anti-Inflammatory Foods. …
- Stick to Small, Frequent Meals. …
- Keep a Food Diary. …
- Move Your Body. …
- Take Thyroid Medication as Directed.
Is thyroid surgery serious?
Risks of thyroid surgery
Risks specific to thyroid surgery rarely occur. However, the two most common risks are: damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerves (nerves connected to your vocal cords) damage to the parathyroid glands (glands that control the level of calcium in your body)
How long do stitches stay in after thyroid surgery?
Stitches/clips
You may have your clips removed 2-3 days after your operation, before you leave hospital, or you may have them removed at around 5-6 days. In this case, they will be removed be your GP or practice nurse. A small drain will be attached to your wound to prevent fluid building up.