Removal of all or part of the thyroid gland is called thyroidectomy. This surgery may be performed to treat thyroid cancer, benign nodules, or overactive or enlarged thyroids. Recovery time is usually fairly rapid.
Risks
Thyroidectomy, like any surgery, carries some risks. Complications include bleeding, airway obstruction and permanent vocal cord nerve damage. Damage to the parathyroid glands can lead to low calcium levels in the blood.
Surgery
Thyroid surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes several hours.
Hospital Stay
When a patient awakes from surgery, his throat will be sore, but he will be able to eat and drink normally. Patients usually stay in the hospital for 24 hours after thyroid surgery.
What to Expect Afterwards
A patient may feel neck pain and have a weak and hoarse voice for some time after the surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. These symptoms are almost always temporary and may be caused by irritation from the breathing tube that was inserted during surgery, or as the result of nerve irritation.
Return to Routine
A patient should be able to return to a normal routine fairly quickly. The American Thyroid Association recommends that any vigorous sports or activities that involve heavy lifting be avoided for at least 10 days.
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