Thyroidectomy how long off work

After your thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy, you may have a temporary sore throat, neck pain, difficulty swallowing or a weak voice. Your diet will be restricted for the evening of your surgery, but in most cases, it can return to normal the next day.

Before you leave the hospital, we'll schedule a follow-up appointment, give instructions for your at-home recovery and go over any prescribed medications. Most people are ready to return home within one day of surgery, but take off about two weeks from work to recover.

You'll need to refrain from heavy lifting or other tasks that can strain your neck for up to three weeks after your surgery.

Soaking or scrubbing the site of your incision is also discouraged for at least one week to allow it time to properly heal. Showering is generally allowed after about one day. Pain at the site of your incision will improve after a few days but may continue for a week or so. If you notice sudden swelling in your neck, which could signify an infection, contact our office. Due to disturbance of the parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium balance, your calcium level may drop after surgery.

If it drops, you may notice numbness and tingling of your fingers or around your mouth. We'll monitor your calcium levels through blood tests, and give you instructions about taking calcium replacements if needed. All operations involve some pain and discomfort. Our goal is to minimize this discomfort.

At the time of operation, your surgeon will give you some numbing medication, which will usually last four to six hours after surgery. Although you should be able to eat and drink normally, the main complaint is pain with swallowing. Most patients prefer softer foods initially.

The vast majority of patients do not require narcotic pain medications. During the operation, your surgeon may consult with the pathologist who will provide a preliminary diagnosis. However, the final pathology report requires careful study of your tissue specimen. Therefore, the final report is usually not available until about 1 week after the operation. Before you are discharged from the hospital, a single suture at the incision will be removed.

The incision is covered with a plastic coating that is water-resistant, so that you can shower as usual. However, do not submerge the incision for five days. The coating will peel off on its own within five to seven days. After your postoperative appointment, a moisturizer can be applied to the wound to improve healing. In general, your activity level depends on how much discomfort you experience. Many patients may resume regular activities within a few days after the operation.

Most patients are able to return to work within the first week. You will be able to drive as soon as you can turn your head comfortably, for your own safety while driving. Your surgeon will ask you not to soak in a hot bathtub or go swimming for 1 week after the surgery.

You must see the surgeon for a follow-up visit 3 weeks after surgery. Hoarse voice Sometimes thyroid surgery affects the nerves to the voice box, which can make your voice sound hoarse or weak. This is often temporary and improves with time. Your singing voice may be affected. This is often temporary, but sometimes it is permanent.

Most patients complain their voice gets tired after thyroid surgery, but this is usually temporary. Eating and drinking Most people start eating and drinking within a few hours after the operation.

To help your body recover from surgery, you need to be well nourished. Try to eat small amounts of healthy, nutritious food.

For more on this, see Nutrition and cancer. Painful swallowing You will find it painful to swallow for a few days. Try to eat soft foods that are easy to swallow.

Swallowing can feel stiff for a few months, but usually gradually improves. Scarring You will have a horizontal scar on your neck above the collarbone. In most cases, the scar is about 5—7 cm long and is often in a natural skin crease. At first, this scar will look red, but it should fade and become less noticeable with time.

Your doctor may recommend using special tape on the scar to help it heal. Keep the area moisturised to help the scar fade more quickly over time. Ask your pharmacist or doctor to recommend a suitable cream. Activity levels Most people return to their usual activities within a week, but some people need more time to recover. You will most likely need to avoid heavy lifting, vigorous exercise such as running and turning your neck quickly for a couple of weeks after surgery.