24 Hours Post-Thyroid Surgery -- A Brief Report

Yesterday, I had a partial thyroidectomy. I had a large, indeterminate nodule on my left lobe, and the otolaryngologist recommended removal. I checked into the hospital around 10 and was escorted to the operating room at around 11:45am (stunning amount of equipment). They put an oxygen mask over my mouth and nose, put some sedatives into my arm, and then I woke up in a recovery bay around 3pm.

Prior to the surgery, I was advised that there was a chance that they might take out my entire thyroid if they saw anything concerning. Fortunately, the right lobe looked normal, so they left it in. However, if the pathology report indicates that the nodule was malignant, then it is possible that they'll recommend a 2d surgery to clean out the rest of my thyroid.

I was discharged around 8pm with a drain (thanks to the size of the nodule). That will be taken out tomorrow afternoon, thankfully. I was feeling pretty alert thanks to my long midday nap, so I stayed up to watch the first half of the Knicks-Spurs Game 4. Believing that the outcome was predictable, I went to bed. Fortunately, my wife somewhat randomly checked the score and woke me up for the last 2 minutes. Unbelievable finish.

The drain is annoying (I can only sleep on my right side), but fortunately, it is not producing much liquid. I have less irritation from the breathing tube they inserted than I feared, and the pain associated with the incision is handled by Tylenol. It is not attractive, to be sure. There are lots of markings on my neck so that they could be sure they were operating on the correct side, and the incision itself is sealed with surgical superglue and a covering piece of tape. The tape should fall off, and the glue should dissolve, both in about two weeks. I have a big family party three days after that, and should be sight for all the photos. Cravat time, I think.

I do have some hoarseness that ebbs and flows, and some discomfort in swallowing (I've limited myself to soft foods, which is good). I expect those symptoms will abate over the next week or so.

Apart from the uncertainty of the nodule pathology, I'm feeling pretty good about this process so far. Happy to answer any questions.