A thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. Surgeons often perform a thyroidectomy when a patient has thyroid cancer or some other condition of the thyroid gland (such as thyroid nodules, thyroid enlargement (goiter) or hyperthyroidism).
Advice
If you have a neck or back problem that is triggered by arching your neck backward, tell your surgeon prior to surgery because during surgery your neck will be in a flexed position.
Tingling in fingers after surgery could be a symptom of low calcium, so call your doctor immediately with any issues.
Give yourself a week after surgery to get back to your usual daily activities.
Ask about the variety of thyroid hormone medication available; there are different families of medication, and you may do better on some rather than others.
Stories
Thyroidectomy
I had some nominal pain in the throat from the insertion of the tube for the anesthesia, and pain in my neck from my head being held in an uncomfortable position for approximately 3 hours during the surgery. Read More
Harry, male, 69, Massachusetts
Thyroidectomy
I had hurt myself weightlifting, and when the orthopedist took an X-ray of my shoulder, he saw some lumps on my thyroid gland. Read More
Stephen, male, 54, Massachusetts
Thyroidectomy
Going into surgery, I had two options: they would remove entire thyroid, or they would remove the right lobe and we would watch the left side with the possibility of a second surgery. Read More
Bonnie, female, 52, California
Thyroidectomy
Severe laryngitis led to a scan of my neck, revealing a nodule on one side of my thyroid gland. A subsequent scan revealed two suspicious nodules and a needle biopsy – uncomfortable not painful – gave strong indication of thyroid cancer. Read More
Michael, male, 60, Massachusetts
Thyroidectomy
I was diagnosed with multifocal thyroid cancer (papillary carcinoma). After identifying the cancer by a fine needle aspiration, I was told I would need my entire thyroid gland removed. Read More
AR, male, 38, Israel
Thyroidectomy
I had a large lump on the left side of my thyroid. On the day of surgery, I went to the hospital desk and registered, and was taken back to the preop area. Read More
Valerie, female, 47, Massachusetts
