Skip to main content
Alert icon
COVID-19 Resources Click here for details.


Thyroid Surgery

The thyroid, a small gland in your neck, plays a large role in how your body functions.
Thyroid surgery can help treat some thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer.

It is also sometimes used to help diagnose certain thyroid problems. Thyroid surgery is safe and typically has good results. Before your procedure, your surgeon will talk with you about the type of thyroid surgery you will have and any risks and possible complications.


Before Undergoing Thyroid Surgery

Be sure to follow all instructions your surgeon gives you. Unless told otherwise, do not eat or drink for at least eight hours before surgery.

It is a good idea to pack an overnight bag. You may be able to go home the day of thyroid surgery, but many people need to stay overnight in the hospital.


During Thyroid Surgery

The surgery takes from two to three hours. The length of time is determined by the amount of thyroid gland being removed.

This amount varies based on what thyroid problem you have. Your surgeon may not be able to tell exactly how much thyroid gland needs to be removed until surgery begins.

Removing Part of the Thyroid

Procedures such as a lobectomy and a hemithyroidectomy may be used to treat benign nodules. They remove one section of the thyroid gland. This leaves some thyroid tissue in place to continue functioning.

Removing Most or All of the Thyroid

Some procedures are used to treat hyperthyroidism, multinodular goiter, or thyroid cancer. A subtotal thyroidectomy and a near total thyroidectomy remove most of the thyroid gland. A total thyroidectomy removes the entire thyroid gland. With these procedures, little or no thyroid tissue is left behind.


Recovering After Thyroid Surgery

You are likely to spend a few hours in the recovery room. You will be sent home or moved into another room to stay overnight.

In the recovery room, your surgeon may check your calcium levels. This is to find out if the parathyroid glands were affected during surgery. You may have a drain that was placed at the wound site during surgery to help collect fluid. A sore throat or hoarseness after your procedure is common and should go away within a week or two.

You should be able to return to a normal life in a few weeks. Shortly after your procedure, you will have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon. After this visit, your primary care doctor or thyroid specialist will monitor your recovery.

For the first few days after surgery, you may need to keep your incision dry. Within a week, you should be able to resume most low-key activities. However, wait two to four weeks before doing anything strenuous, such as lifting anything 10 pounds or heavier.

After surgery, you may need to take medications. These may include pain medication, thyroid hormone, calcium supplements, or antibiotics (if you go home with a drain in place). Your incision should flatten out and the scar should fade in about six months. Be sure to use sunblock on the scar for the first year after surgery.


Follow-up After Thyroid Surgery

You will likely have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon within a week of the procedure. He or she will check the wound, take out stitches and remove the drain if necessary, and discuss your condition.

Several weeks after surgery, a TSH test will be ordered. The results will determine if you need to take thyroid hormone pills.

During the first week after thyroid surgery, call the surgeon if you have any of the following:

  • Bleeding
  • Fever
  • Increasing pain
  • Muscle cramps, numbness or tingling in the fingers, or twitching in the face
  • Redness, swelling, or drainage at your incision site
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing

NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE STATEMENT
West Tennessee Healthcare (WTH) does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, Limited English Proficiency or sex, including discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, sex stereotyping or pregnancy in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, whether carried out by WTH directly or through a contractor or any other entity with which WTH arranges to carry out its programs and activities.

For further information about this policy, contact Amy Garner (731) 541-9914.