- Types of thyroid surgery
- How is recovery after removing the thyroid
- What happens after removing the thyroid
- Consequences - How to live without a thyroid
- Surgery price
- Removing the fattening thyroid?
Thyroid surgery is done to treat thyroid problems, such as nodules, cysts, over-enlarged thyroid or cancer, and can be total or partial, depending on whether or not the gland is completely removed.
Generally, this surgery, known as thyroidectomy, is delicate because there are veins, arteries and muscles essential to life, however, it is common to have no complications, even in cases of cancer, with changes in the voice or bruises being uncommon.
Recovery from surgery is simple, making it necessary to avoid making efforts to avoid swelling and bleeding at the cut site, leaving a scar on the neck.
Types of thyroid surgery
Thyroid surgery is done under general anesthesia and during the operation, which takes about 2 hours, the doctor cuts the neck allowing the thyroid to be observed and removed.
Generally, before thyroid surgery, one must do 8 hours of fasting and do not take any medications in the previous 10 days, such as AAS, Bufferin or Melhoral, for example because they increase the risk of bleeding during surgery and in the postoperative period that can impair healing. The main types of surgery are:
- Total thyroidectomy: Consists of completely removing the thyroid, with the need for hormone replacement. Lobectomy: It consists of removing only one side and also the isthmus, which is the part that joins the two sides, leaving half of the thyroid functioning normally. It can be indicated in case of papillary or follicular thyroid cancer, and there is usually no need for hormone replacement. Cervical emptying: In some cases, in addition to removing the thyroid, it may be necessary to remove the lymph nodes close to the thyroid and the cervical, when they are affected or to avoid them, especially in the case of medullary or anaplastic thyroid cancer. In the case of follicular or papillary cancer, the doctor may not see the need for neck dissection if the biopsy indicates that they are not affected.
In most cases, you can return home the next day, staying for 1 day, since complications are rare. However, it is not possible to study or work in the first week after surgery.
The doctor can also decide whether treatment with radioactive iodine is necessary, which serves to completely eliminate any trace of malignant cells. Learn all about Radioactive Iodine.
Also watch the following video and see what is the most suitable food to make during treatment with radioactive iodine:
How is recovery after removing the thyroid
The postoperative period of thyroid surgery lasts about 15 days and during that time one should avoid making physical efforts, such as running or intense domestic activities to avoid the development of swelling and bleeding at the cut site. However, total rest is not necessary, and in most cases you can walk, work and move your neck in the week following the operation.
After leaving the operating room, it is normal to have a drain on the neck to remove excess liquid with blood and avoid bruising and as it is normal to feel some pain the doctor may indicate the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatories, such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen and eat liquid and soft foods to decrease the discomfort of food in the throat.
In addition, you have a bandage on your neck to avoid contact with bacteria and dirt and protect the place where the cut was made, which should not be wet. Usually, the patient goes home with the dressing, which must be removed about 3 days after surgery at the hospital, and the stitches are also removed when they are visible.
What happens after removing the thyroid
Thyroid surgery is usually uncomplicated, but the most common consequences include:
- Sore throat and cough, which can cause difficulty eating and which usually reduces after 1 week, being related to inflammation of the throat; Changes in the voice, such as hoarseness and tiredness in speaking, which usually passes spontaneously after a few months, in some cases requiring voice training; Decreased levels of calcium in the blood, because near the thyroid are the parathyroid glands that produce a hormone known as PTH responsible for regulating the level of calcium in the blood; Hematoma in the neck that can cause pain and swelling in the neck.
As a cut is made on the neck, it is normal to have a thin scar that can vary between 3 to 15 cm.
Consequences - How to live without a thyroid
It is possible to live without a thyroid because the hormones produced by this organ can be replaced by drugs in tablets with calcium and vitamin D, such as Levothyroxine or Synthroid, for example, recommended by the endocrinologist that must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. See what are the Thyroid Remedies that the doctor can indicate.
After removing the thyroid completely, these medications have to be taken for life, to keep the hormone level stable and avoid symptoms such as tingling and cramps. These remedies can start to be taken about 20 days after the surgery.
Watch the following video and see some tips that can help people without a thyroid to live better:
When only half of the thyroid is removed, it is not always necessary to make this hormone replacement because the remaining half can adjust to produce the amount of hormones that the body needs. Therefore, the doctor should order blood and ultrasound tests to check the result of the surgery and how the levels of these hormones are in the bloodstream about 1 month after removing part of the thyroid. During this waiting time, the person should watch for symptoms of thyroid changes such as menstrual changes, cramps, tired legs or tingling. Check all symptoms of thyroid problems.
Surgery price
Thyroid surgery can be performed by SUS, and it is free. However, it can be done in private clinics with an average cost of 5, 000 reais, depending on the location where the surgery is performed and the length of stay.
Removing the fattening thyroid?
When you completely remove the thyroid and do not do hormone replacement, there may be hypothyroidism, and one of the characteristics of this is the increase in weight and body swelling. Thus, it is necessary to take the drugs to replace the hormones that the thyroid produced to maintain the appropriate weight and maintain the other functions of the body, such as regulating the temperature properly controlled. Therefore, whenever the person removes the thyroid completely, he must take the thyroid drugs for life.
Removing only half of the thyroid can also lead to weight gain, when the remaining half is not able to produce the hormones that the body needs. Therefore, in addition to taking thyroid exams monthly, it is necessary to observe whether symptoms related to hypothyroidism appear. Learn the 5 tests that evaluate the thyroid.
If the doctor recommends treatment with Radioactive Iodine after removing the thyroid, it is not possible to start taking thyroid hormones, and so during these 30 days between one procedure and another, it is common for people to feel bloated, with a headache. and lack of concentration, but this period without medication is important to increase the effectiveness of radioactive iodotherapy, which can completely eliminate malignant cells. After this treatment, the doctor may recommend taking thyroid medications, and the unpleasant symptoms should disappear in a few days.
