Hemithyroidectomy

Heya Joll-1

I'm glad you posted here with some more info! 

If you've had a bad experience before with anaesthetic, then it's perfectly understandable that you'd be worried about having it again. It sounds like there was a reason for it though, as opposed to you just not agreeing with the drugs. However you should have an opportunity to chat with the anaesthetist before they put you under, so do tell them about last time if you think it's relevant, or just explain your worries and they'll help you through. 

Now, I don't know if this will help or hinder, but there are so many possible, yet rare, complications that it is impossible to worry about them all. And if you try, you're just going to make yourself ill, which could delay the surgery, which will make you worry more, and so on until you're in a vicious cycle. If you can, try telling yourself that you've got this, and IF you end up with any complications, then you'll deal with them as and when. And remember, you've got us to lean on and get support and information from too. So you're not doing this alone! 

Additional advice or tips for after the surgery...

• Take your pain killers and anti-inflammatories on time for the first 5 to 7 days. So take them regularly instead of reactively as that way they work better and you get more benefit from them. That also means start buying them now, because with the stupid rules that say you can only buy 2 packs at a time, you'll need time to build up a stash. 
• Meal prep the week before. If you're the person who does the cooking, do as much as you can the week before and freeze it. That way you just take them out of the freezer the night before then reheat at meal times. Or just buy ready meals. 
• Childcare - you won't be able to drive for a week, and if you have young kids you won't be able to lift them for at least the first few days. So see if you can get someone to help out.
• Housework - ignore it. It isn't urgent.
• Drink plenty of fluids as you'll be a bit, or a lot, dehydrated after the surgery. You'll also probably have phlegm in your lungs that you just need to cough up then swallow... Mmmm mmmm.... And you'll probably have a sore throat from the breathing tube. Both of which will be helped by keeping yourself well hydrated. 

Summer seems to be pretty much over, but if you do want to go out in the sun on a holiday, or next summer even, then either keep your scar covered with a scarf or factor 50.

I didn't use anything on my scar, and it's now pretty much invisible. I recently had a mole removed from my leg and the dermatologist was talking about scarring. She said not to bother with any of these expensive lotions and potions, and actually what she would recommend is plain old Vaseline. It's apparently more the massaging of the scar rather than the stuff you're using that affects it and flattens it. 

Showering and washing is a few days after the op, but they'll tell you the specifics of that one on discharge. I think you need to leave the bandages or strips on for 2 or 3 days, then you can shower and wash your hair - but you need to keep the incision dry. I think I just tied my hair up as I wasn't seeing anyone, and sink washed for a week.

As for work, it kind of depends on what you do. I'd say you'll def need a week off, regardless of what you do. Then some people need a second week off too. But not many need more than that tbh. 

I hope that helps, and if you need anymore info then please do just shout! 

Lass

Xx

Hi Joll-1,

Welcome to this forum :-)

I had 2 hemis at 2 different hospitals (Barnsley and Sheffield) and the guidance on scar care, support stockings, exercise etc. I was given was different each time, so no doubt you will be given different information on discharge from yours still.

After the first hemi I was told to not let the scar get wet for 6 days. So I did not wash my hair for 6 days and ended up looking like a scarecrow that had been dragged through a hedge backwards :-)  I was also told to use Bio Oil twice a day 2/3 weeks after the op which I did, but I was one of those unlucky people whose scar became red and raised and was burning all the time right up to my second op which took place 3.5 months later.  My surgeon for the second op then prescribed a silicon gel called Dermatix which worked a treat.  12 months on I have a very neat scar and there was never any burning or redness like the first time round.  My scar was taped up after my second op and on discharge I was told that I could shower and wash my hair freely but to not submerge the scar, so no baths for a couple of weeks.

I was absolutely petrified before my first operation. For various reasons ranging from not having been to hospital since I was a small child, the possible complications, the fear of pain, the fear of the diagnosis which would follow etc etc.  

I sought the help of a homeopath to help me deal with this and it did help me to a certain extend although when they called me down to theatre, all I wanted to do is run away. But, all went well, the pain was minimal and recovery fairly quick. So when I had to have my second op, I even fell asleep while I was waiting to be called down for surgery. I guess my previous experience helped me and I know no matter how many times you are being told the chances of anything going wrong are minimal, all you think about is that small percentage where something does go wrong.  I know how you feel.

After my first op, all I wanted to do is go back to work as soon as possible so I was back after a week and a half at home. I knew that I should have stayed at home a bit longer and so after my second op I stayed off work for 2 weeks and 2 days and that was ok for me.

Lots of pillows at home and a neck support also for the journey home did help me a lot. I also took some boiled sweets with me to suck after the surgery because my throat was a bit sore and dry.  I also took my earphones so that I could listen to some music while I was on the ward overnight as I was unable to sleep after both surgeries. 

Keeping my fingers crossed for you and I hope reading how it all went for me will take a tiny little bit of that fear away.

All the best.

Swichee x

Thank you both so much for your replies & for all your really helpful advice & kind words, I really appreciate you both taking the time to do this for me. 

My bad experience with anaesthesia was due to an emergency situation where I had to be put under G.A. very quickly & the paralysis kicked in before I became unconscious. It was only for a matter of seconds but I could hear the medical team & was aware of everything going on around me but I couldn’t communicate with them & it was terrifying. I know this was because it was an emergency & the anaesthetic mix wasn’t quite right which wouldn’t happen in planned surgery but it’s stayed with me & still bothers me. 

Can I also ask if you stayed in hospital overnight or were you in as a day case Swichee? I’m sure the consultant said it was  a day case but my arrival time isn’t until 12:30pm. 

I know there risks with everything & I wish I didn’t worry as much as I do! I kind of feel like it’s unnecessary as I don’t think it is malignant but then I’ve read so many peoples stories of having indeterminate/inconclusive/inadequate results and it’s turned out to be malignant. Did you have any symptoms prior to your removal that made you think it could be malignant? 

Thank you so much again, it’s so good to chat with others who know exactly how I am feeling!

Best wishes x

Hi Joll-1

Please don’t worry about it. I had my thyroid removed and some lymph nodes in April. Previously when I had anesthetic it had made me very sick. I told the anesthetist this and he gave me something that almost worked- shouldn’t have drunk so much water and then go to the loo! The part I found strange was waking up in recovery as I was unfamiliar with it.

I was fortunate not to be in much pain, but kept the pain medication going as recommended. I would recommend a lower cut top to prevent your wound rubbing on material. I also wore scarves.

I did online food shopping for a few weeks to save lots of lifting. I was back at work after 3 weeks but very tired.

The NHS staff are fantastic.

Good Luck and try not to worry.

Hi Joll-1,

this must have been a very scary experience but I am sure you mentioned this at your pre op and if not, right before the surgery the anaesthetist will come and speak to you and you can tell them about your previous experience and I am sure they will be able to make sure that this will not happen again.

I stayed overnight on both occasions and went home the next day.

There were no symptoms that made me think it was malignant.  Thyroid function was normal, I felt absolutely fine and my FNA was inconclusive. My diagnosis happened to be Cancer  but my husband's cousin had a hemi this spring because of a inconclusive FNA and it turned out she did no have cancer.  She is doing fine and the other half of the Thyroid is functioning sufficiently so she does not have to take Thyroxine.

We can't help the way we feel so perhaps try relaxation techniques like mindfulness to take the edge off your worries.  This did help me a lot after the diagnosis.

Ask away if you have any other questions.

Swichee x

Thank you Runner25 & Swichee for your replies. 

I have my pre-op today so will mention my concerns regarding the anaesthetic. I do use relaxation techniques for my really bad fear of flying which does help take the edge off it so will definitely do that for the upcoming operation. 

Thank you for the info regarding your husbands cousin. I’m glad hers was benign & it’s also reassuring to know the remaining half is working well enough not to need medication. 

Thanks again & I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions before the op!! x 

I am absolutely petrified of flying too - I have got a trip to China coming up and I am not looking forward to the flying bit    I shall be listening to my meditation guide for many many hours......

Take care

Swichee x