Thyroidectomy Post-Operative Instructions

For the next 24 hours:

Rest, minimal activity allowed.

Resume a regular diet, but avoid sour or spicy foods.

Cold compresses applied to the area affected or allowed for 10 minutes every couple of hours.

You may have a postoperative drain, and emptying the drain 2-3 times a day is required. Record the output.

Do not shower. You may shower 48 hours after drains and dressings have been removed.

Expect some drainage from the wound site, reinforced dressing was as needed. If this becomes excessive, report this to the physician.

Take postoperative medications as prescribed.

There may be an external dressing which will be removed from 24 hours after surgery.

For exposed incisions, apply bacitracin ointment as prescribed.

For incision covered with Steri-strips (colored tape), do not remove these, they will fall off in 7 days. No bacitracin needs to be applied.

Arrange for a responsible adult to remain with you for 24 hours.

Be sure to take medications as prescribed.

Activity

Rest for the first 24 hours.

No exercise for 2 weeks.

No lifting more than 25 pounds for one week.

Diet:

Resume regular diet.

Expect some drooling if there is weakness of the lower lip.

Diet may be restricted is oral surgery has been performed at the same time.

Special instructions:

Followup in 7-10 days to review the pathology results.

If you experience tingling of the hands, feet and mouth or spasm of muscles, this may indicate hypocalcemia. You will need to proceed to the emergency room and contact your physician. If you have been instructed to take calcium you can take an additional two tablets of calcium if this occurs to help improve your calcium level which is typically low with these symptoms.

Expect some swelling and pain for the first 48 hours after surgery.

Excessive swelling may indicate a hematoma or seroma, and if this becomes prominent, contact your physician.

Expect mild hoarseness or dysphagia after intubation. If this is severe, contact your physician.

Do not drive or operate machinery

Do not consume alcohol

Avoid making critical legal decisions

Contact your physician for fever greater than 101°F, pain not relieved by medications, persistent nausea or vomiting, inability to urinate, or excessive bleeding.

Contact 911 for shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of vision, double vision or loss of consciousness.