Patient education: Thyroidectomy – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is thyroidectomy? — Thyroidectomy is surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a gland in the middle of the neck (figure 1). It makes thyroid hormones, which help control how the body uses and stores energy.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

For the first 24 hours after surgery:

●Do not drive or operate heavy or dangerous machinery.

●Do not make any important decisions or sign any important papers.

●Do not drink alcohol of any kind.

You should also:

●Take pain medicines 30 minutes before meals to help make swallowing easier.

•If your doctor prescribed opioid pain medicine, you might get constipated. You can take a stool softener to prevent this problem.

•Instead of opioids, you can also take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain. Examples include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

●Eat soft foods for a few days after surgery. Examples include soup, gelatin, pudding, applesauce, eggs, or baby food. Avoid eating foods that are hard to swallow.

●Sleep with your head and shoulders raised for a week or so after surgery. This will help with swelling.

●Apply a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on your incision (cut). Do this every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. This can help with pain and swelling.

●Take all of your medicines as instructed – You might need to take hormones to replace the work of the thyroid. You might also need medicines to balance your electrolytes. Your doctor might prescribe a calcium supplement.

●Take care of your incision – You might have stitches, surgical glue, or a special skin tape on your incision.

•Keep your incision dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days after surgery. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep your incision dry.

•Once you no longer need to keep your incision dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put your incision underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.

•After you wash your incision, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on the incision. They will also tell you if you need to cover your incision with a bandage or gauze.

●Always wash your hands before and after you touch your incision or bandage.

●Increase your activity slowly.

•Start with short walks around your home, and walk a little more each day.

•Avoid heavy lifting, sports, and swimming for at least a week or 2. (Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to avoid these or other activities.)

What follow-up care do I need? — The doctor will want to see you again after surgery to check on your progress. Go to these appointments.

If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.

The doctor might want you to see an endocrinologist. This is a doctor who specializes in thyroid and other hormone conditions.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●You have redness, drainage, or swelling around your incision.

●Your lips or other parts of your body feel numb.

●You have problems moving your lips, or opening and closing your mouth.

●You have muscle twitching or cramping.

●You have trouble swallowing, talking, or breathing.

●You have nausea or vomiting for more than 2 days after going home.

More on this topic

Patient education: Thyroidectomy (The Basics)
Patient education: Thyroid nodules (The Basics)
Patient education: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) (The Basics)
Patient education: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) (The Basics)
Patient education: Nodular goiter (The Basics)
Patient education: Thyroid cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Seroma (The Basics)

Patient education: Thyroid nodules (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Antithyroid drugs (Beyond the Basics)