Thyroid Surgery
What to expect after your thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy, and some practical guidance for your recovery at home.
The first few days
Some discomfort, tightness and swelling around the neck are normal after thyroid surgery. You may also notice some discomfort when swallowing.
Pain relief
Take your prescribed or recommended pain relief as required. Most patients find that discomfort improves substantially over the first few days.
Eating & drinking
You can eat and drink normally. Softer foods may be more comfortable initially if your throat feels sore.
Looking after your wound
Mild swelling, bruising and a feeling of firmness around the incision can occur during healing.
Follow the wound and dressing instructions you were given when leaving hospital.
As the wound heals, the scar will usually soften and fade gradually over the following months.
Activity & recovery
Walking
Walking and gentle normal activity are encouraged from the beginning.
Driving
You may drive when you can comfortably turn your head, perform an emergency stop and are no longer taking medication that impairs your ability to drive.
Work
Return to work depends on how you feel and the physical demands of your job.
Exercise
Gradually increase your activity as comfort allows. More strenuous exercise can be reintroduced progressively.
Your voice
Your voice may feel slightly different, weak or tired after thyroid surgery. This is often temporary and can occur even when the nerves controlling the vocal cords are functioning normally.
Calcium after thyroidectomy
After a total thyroidectomy, the parathyroid glands can sometimes temporarily produce less parathyroid hormone. This can cause your calcium level to fall.
Symptoms of low calcium can include
Tingling around the mouth • tingling in the fingers or toes • pins and needles • muscle twitching or cramping
If you have been prescribed calcium or calcitriol after your operation, take it according to the instructions you were given.
Read the temporary low calcium guide →Thyroid medication
Total thyroidectomy
You will require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement with levothyroxine after removal of the whole thyroid.
Hemithyroidectomy
Most patients do not immediately require thyroid hormone replacement. Thyroid function will be checked after surgery.
When to seek urgent help
Rapidly increasing neck swelling, difficulty breathing or significant difficulty swallowing requires urgent medical attention.