My husband had 2/3 of his removed over 20 years ago. He'd had X-rays as a child, and had developed a thyroid nodule, that to all the dr's looked cancerous. They had us totally prepared for that outcome before the surgery.

Luckily, it turned out tobe benign. The surgery itself didn't seem to be too bad. Of course, it was surgery, there was some pain after, he was in the hospital for about 3 days after (but that was decades ago, I don't know how long they keep you these days), but he quickly made a full recovery. He's had no further problems or surgery since.

But he does take synthoid. Have you consulted an endocrinologist, as well as your surgeon? Obviously, I don't know the details of your case and it may be totally different than DH's, but with DH, the theory was that if they left any thyroid at all, they didn't want it active because that would mean there was the potential for another nodule to develope. So he's on the artificial hormone, to keep the remaining piece shut down. Thyroid cancer is not something one wants to chance--his cousin died from it this past year. It's slow and painful, so DH is more than content to be taking the synthroid, to try to avoid that becoming a problem for him.

Judging from DH, I'd say you'll find you'll get through the surgery well. But I would ask a few questions, and check with an endocrinologist to make sure that there's no need for synthroid after.

Good vibes for Friday, Donna, I can tell you it'll be okay :-)

I had the surgery just about exactly a year ago. They removed half of my thyroid because it had a nodule they couldn't exactly tell if it was cancerous or not (it wasn't, thank goodness). I'd been put under for minor procedures before, so didn't expect the thyroid surgery to be that big a deal. But because they're operating on your neck area, they put you under pretty deep, and I'll be honest -- I woke in in recovery about noon, and until about 8:00 that evening I felt like pure cr@p! headache, dizziness, upset stomach. No way did I want to go home (too much movement!) and no way did I want visitors milling about my room. But by my usual bedtime (9:00) I was feeling almost normal, and after one nights sleep in the hospital I felt fine the next morning, ready to eat & go home. So far I haven't needed synthroid, my half-thyroid is operating fine, which is apparently the most common outcome.

So, unless your surgeon is telling you different, I'd be prepared to stay Friday night in the hospital and don't expect to feel perky. You'll be tired on Saturday (hospitals just have to wake you up every two hours, it seems) and by Sunday, you'll feel about 100% normal. Best of luck, Donna!

I had mine removed about 20 yrs ago because of a nodule--Was in hosp less then 24 hrs--I'm on synthroid for the rest of my life-Had no problems at all!

Good Luck & will put you in my prayers-

Donna (^_^)

DH had 90% removed in 1969 when he was 17. He had a huge goiter and was hyper-thyroid. In 1996 he was diagnosed as hypo-thyroid and has been on synthroid. It took them awhile to diagnose that as the problem. He was finding it hard to concentrate and function until they put him on the medication.

After just going through surgery myself 2 days ago, be prepared for a recovery period where you will need to rest and not do anything even when you get home. It takes awhile for the body to get back to normal.

Good luck and sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Clare

Wow! Thanks for your stories. Here is what the surgeon told me: Since I am having only 1/2 out, it is done on an outpatient basis. Also, I have had this thing for 15 years and have had several biopsies done and a thyroid uptake 15 years ago: all benign.

My endocrinologist says that that part of my thyroid probably has been dead for years and the other half of it is providing my hormone so there is a good chance that I will not have to take meds, but we shall see.

Yes, I plan on resting the whole weekend and will take it easy even after that. Thankfully dh works home most days and my kids are older so I can relax.

Thanks guys.

Donna

Donna, I had 2/3 of the left lobe removed in 1991. The lump was benign. The dr put me on synthrioid which made me itch terrible with no visible signs of hives. He was a crabby sob and I only went back to him for my follow up appt., but he took me off the synthroid and did not put me on anything else. He said it was only to keep anything else from ever developing. I have my primary care dr keep track of it for me, and have had no further problems. I had some discomfort around the insision (sp?) for a few days, but that's all.

Wishing all the best

Tami

In 1976 i had the right side of mine removed,they also scraped the isthmus,and took out 1/3 of the left side.I had a goiter that was growing inwardly and pressing against my windpipe/voice box or something like that.Been a lot of years and i can't remember all the details.

Anyway i kept getting hoarse,having trouble swallowing etc.They had been treating it for a few years with meds,but it continued to grow,so they finally removed it.

If i remember correctly i was in the hospital several days,and i couldn't talk for a few weeks above a whisper.I went back on synthroid immediately,but they told me because the cancer hadn't invaded the blood cells that i would die from something else,long before i died from thyroid cancer.

Then just about 20 years to the day later during my routine physical they found that what was left of the left side was growing again,so they went in and removed that as well.

Both times my surgeon did a wonderful job and no one can even tell i had surgery.They did the incision in the crease of my neck and it healed very well.

I'll take synthroid the rest of my life,and i can tell myself better than the test when the meds need to be adjusted.

I'm totally fine now.
I pray your surgery will go as well as mine did.
Good luck to ya.
kathi

I had half removed in 1981, and the other half removed about 10 years later (so no I have none).

I couldn't talk for a while, but that was because of the breathing tube they put into my throat, not really anything to do with the thyroid or the surgery.

I found that sneezing hurt, as did straining if I went potty. Really that was about it in terms of physical side effects.

My one piece of advice: the second surgery, the inside of my mouth was SO dry (they'd painted it w/ some germ-killing thing). I couldn't drink anything, bcs they'd used general anestheia, so when I finally got someone (my husband) who would SLOW DOWN AND LISTEN TO ME, I got him to bring me a damp washcloth, and I wiped out the inside of my mouth. I cannot tell you what a huge deal that was--such a little thing.

Otherwise, it was really not a big deal.

I took synthroid in order to keep the remaining half dormant, and of course, now there IS no remaining half to activate itself should I stop the pills.

It was such a non-event, in a lot of ways.

I felt completely normal after about 2 weeks, both times. And I was up and around, just w/ a sore neck, after a day.

My scar is visible--they didn't put it in a fold of my neck; the surgeon went in at the base of my neck. I didn't question it at the time, but I know people who had the scar set into a fold, and you can't see it after several years.

(I build up my scars, so probably it's best where it is; I'd probably have turned the fold inside-out w/ keloid scars)

Good luck!

I just wanted to wish you luck and for a speedy recovery. I have been in remission from hyperthyroidism for 20 years but was lucky to not have my thyroid partially removed. Wishing you the best!!!

You know, I came back to say:

i can't believe they're doing this on an out-patient basis. And the fact that it's HALF the thyroid should have NO BEARING on whether you need to be in the hospital overnight or not. None.

It's the surgery, and the ANESTHESIA, that should keep you in overnight. And those are the same no matter how big a piece they cut out.

My experience in terms of how I felt, was exactly like nickel_kg's:
"I woke in in recovery about noon, and until about 8:00 that evening I felt like pure cr@p! headache, dizziness, upset stomach. No way did I want to go home (too much movement!) and no way did I want visitors milling about my room. But by my usual bedtime (9:00) I was feeling almost normal, and after one nights sleep in the hospital I felt fine the next morning"

Except I didn't feel fine, I was EXHAUSTED, because I was way too uncomfortable to sleep overnight (and I had the surgery relatively early in the a.m.). I only got comfortable enough to truly sleep about 7am--and then they started opening the curtains and the doors, etc. I must have gotten up out of bed to shut the curtains about 3 times.

Be prepared to need to be there overnight after all, no matter what your doctor says.

And have someone w/ you all the time, once you're out of post-op, to do things like SHUT THE DOOR, and SHUT THE LIGHTS off, and even TURN OFF THE TV AT THE EMPTY BED NEXT TO YOURS.

OMG, it was like being physically assaulted, the noise, and lights, etc.

Hey Mini-

I had thyroid surgery in late 2006. The biopsy results went on about abnormal cells, but it was enlarged enough as to be visible on one side. The surgeon had specified an out-patient surgery, but I questioned it and ended up staying overnight.

I was concerned about what was going to happen, but when all was said and done, it was not so bad. I had one side of the thyroid removed during a morning surgery. They kept me on humidified air thru the night because you can suffer from a sore/dry throat. I had no problems with my voice and generally felt groggy/fuzzy. In the hospital they took blood every 2/3 hours and checked my blood pressure. I had a little trouble with side affects from the anesthesia, but other than that I was not even in pain.

The doctor had made the incision low on my neck, just above the V of my collar bone. Most folks donÂt notice the scar. I was surprised that the doctor did not require me to cover the incision or even put antibiotics on it. I was self conscious of the visible staples, but strange enough, it was easily dismissed as a silver necklace and no one seemed to notice it (or they did not say anything). Once the staples were removed, I was told to keep tape on it for an additional 7 days. This was to keep from straining the newly healed area.

I was surprised that I did not have any pain or discomfort. I was keenly aware of the incision and tried not to turn my head too much. Overall my imagination was far worse than the surgery. I was back to work Monday (surgery was on Friday).

The thing I did learn is that when you are in the hospital, you may not get service unless you ask for it. Simple things like an additional blanket, being able to reach the call button, telephone or TV remote, getting jello or whatever, you may have to ask for it. DonÂt be shy, they are there to ensure that you are comfortable.

I had read that this surgery is very very common and well practiced. DonÂt worry, you will be fine.

Thanks for all your good wishes.

TalleySue: I was suprised too that it is on an outpatient basis, but I recently had fibroid surgery that was outpatient and I was fine. I really don't want to stay if there is any way that I can leave.

I am sure that if there are any complications, I will stay. Dh is a doctor and knows what to look for.

Donna

Thanks for raising this question. I NEED to have mine removed I think. The goiter is well above the size for recommended removal. I was on synthoid for a while to keep it from growing, and to get my thryroid levels normalized (the levels weren't that far off thougth). My problem is the synthroid. I have horrible pain and other side affects - the itching someone mentioned was rediculous. I'm just now recovering from that and it has been a year since I last took it. Reading these posts has really helped because I've been trying to brave it out without the surgery. Every once in a while the pain and pressure from the goiter begins to bother me, and I begin to panic that I'll need the surgery. I don't mind the surgery as much as taking synthroid again. But, lately the symptoms are nerve racking - not feeling well, the hoarsness, and I'm tired of really not feeling well. Anyway, thanks for all the supporting info to minivanmom. It has helped to probably take the plunge. From what I've heard from you here, and from others, I should begin to feel better afterwards - YEAH!!!!

Please forgive the hijack...
gng

Gng: Yes, I waited 15 years to have this done. While I have never had symptoms and did not need Synthroid, I know that now is the time to do it, since my windpipe is starting to be moved and the nodule is big enough to see on my neck.

Yes, I am scared, very scared, but I know that everything will turn out alright.

If you decide to get the surgery, let us know. Hope my, and others, experience helps you too.

Good luck

Donna

Thanks so much Donna. I have the same windpipe shift and visual thing going on too. I've seen some people with them sticking out the size of an apple - how do they do that???? Plus, doggonit, I'm tired of the rediculous weight gain!!! I've had numerous ear/sinus infections since this whole thing started. At first the Drs were thinking because the goiter, and the five huge nodules I have, are blocking drainage (sorry to sound gross) but then they said No. But I think I have another ear infection which is probably why I'm so yukky right now. I'm going to make another appt to see about that tomorrow. Then I'm off to the indocrinologist, for sure this time - this is truly unstable for the psyche, and I'm tired of trying to do the brave thing, like I feel good every day. Everytime I turn around, I'm on antibiotics and that's not good. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for helping to bring a smile back!

gng

I have a friend who just had hers completely removed. She had cancer. She said that the surgery was "a piece of cake". I wish you well. I hope everything goes well for you. Let us know.
Lu