Thyroid Surgery: Before Your Surgery
What is thyroid surgery?
Thyroid surgery takes out part or all of your thyroid gland. The
gland makes hormones that control how your body makes and uses
energy (metabolism).
A doctor may take out part or all of the gland when it gets too big,
doesn't work right, or has a growth. Most growths or lumps in this
gland are benign. This means they aren't cancer.
This surgery may be needed for problems such as thyroid nodules,
thyroid cancer, and hyperthyroidism.
During your surgery, your doctor may take out a lump or nodule. A
doctor will look at the tissue under a microscope.
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If the sample gives a clear answer for your problem, your doctor
may leave the rest of your thyroid. Or you may have all of it
removed.
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If the answer isn't clear, your doctor may leave the thyroid. More
tests may be done on the tissue. When the test results come back,
you may need surgery to take out the rest of your thyroid.
The doctor will take out the tissue, lump, or tumor through a cut
(incision) in the front of your neck. You will likely have a tube,
called a drain, in your neck. It lets fluid out of the cut. The
drain is most often taken out before you go home.
You may go home on the same day. Or you may stay one or more nights
in the hospital after surgery. You may return to work or your normal
routine in 1 to 2 weeks. This depends on whether you need more
treatment and how you feel. It may also depend on the kind of work
you do.
Your doctor will check your incision in about a week. You may need
to take thyroid medicine. If you have thyroid cancer, you may need
to have radioactive iodine therapy. Your doctor will talk to you
about what happens next.
How do you prepare for surgery?
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand
what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for
surgery.
Preparing for surgery
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Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain
medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your
own.
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Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks,
benefits, and other options.
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Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and
herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems
during your procedure. Your doctor will tell you if you should
stop taking any of them before the procedure and how soon to do
it.
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If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may
tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may
tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and
other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what
your doctor wants you to do.
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Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance
directive. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It
lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to
have before any type of surgery or procedure.
What happens on the day of surgery?
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Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating
and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be canceled.
If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day
of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
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Take a bath or shower before you come in for your surgery.
Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail
polish.
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At the hospital or surgery center
When should you call your doctor?
Current as of: September 27, 2023
Content Version: 14.0
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