Anyone had a thyroidectomy? How was your recovery? Healing time?

I did. About 2 days in the hospital and then a few days resting at home and I was good as new. No problems at all. However I also have to take Synthroid the rest of my life. There is a generic drug, but my doctor would not let me take it because drug stores tend not to use the same generic each month so it can have different effects. After I had my operation, I found out that there was nothing wrong with my thyroid. Get a second opinion before your operation.

I had Thyroidectomy (including removel of 2 Parathyroid by accident) End of October. I have lost my voice down to a hard to her whisper. No improvement so far because the left vocal cord is paralyzed and blocking partly my airpipe which makes breathing sometimes difficult. I went to the UCLA and got a Collagen-Injection in the voicebox. My voice improved a lot, my breathing is still especially while exercising difficult and I am limited because of this. Last week I had to go to the hospital emergency during the night, because breathing was very bad. I had befor surgery always low blood pressure, now I have to take pills to lower the bloodpressure. I needed the Thyroidectomy because it was very enlarged and I had nodules - cancerfree. My Immunsystem is very low and i don't feel healthy, strong and full of energy like before surgery.

I did not have thyroidectomy but I know some details on this subject. It is appended below for your information - Yes, you can live a normal life after your thyroid is removed (thyroidectomy). Once you recover from the thyroid surgery itself, you can usually return to your regular activities — often within a few weeks. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate every aspect of your metabolism, from your heart rate to how quickly you burn calories. A thyroidectomy may be recommended for conditions such as: * Thyroid cancer * Noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) * Certain cases of hyperthyroidism A thyroidectomy is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes several hours. A small incision is made in the front of the neck, and all or part of the thyroid gland is removed, depending on the reason for the surgery. After a thyroidectomy, you may experience temporary neck pain and a hoarse or weak voice. But the long-term effects depend on how much of the thyroid is removed. If only part of your thyroid is removed, the remaining part typically takes over the function of the entire thyroid gland, and you don't need thyroid hormone therapy. If your whole thyroid is removed (total thyroidectomy), your body can't make thyroid hormone and you will develop signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. As a result, you will need daily treatment with thyroid hormone. This hormone is identical to that normally made by your thyroid gland and performs all of the same functions. The amount of thyroid hormone replacement you need is determined by blood tests. Thyroidectomy is generally a safe procedure. But as with any surgery, thyroidectomy carries a risk of complications. Potential complications include: * Bleeding and airway obstruction * Permanent hoarse or weak voice * Hypoparathyroidism * Abnormally low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia)

I did, about 4 years ago. I had two small cancerous tumors on the left side of my thyroid, and a goiter in the right side. My recovery was fairly quick, with surprisingly minor pain. I think my total healing time was about 5-6 weeks. The scaring was very minimal .. you can hardly see the scar, which surprised me as well ... I thought I'd have to walk around with a huge, ugly scar. I'm now on Synthroid, for hormone replacement .. although it's not working as it should, for me .. most people have no problems in absorbing the Synthroid. Once your thyroid is removed, you will have to take Synthroid for the rest of your life. Wishin' you well .... :)

My mom had her thyroid removed a couple of years ago due to cancer,she needed a couple of weeks to recover she also had hashimotosis which seemed to cause her the most problems but shes okay now,she takes synthroid everyday.Hopefully everything will go well and you will have a quick recovery.