surgery in 1 week~questions!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-26-2007
surgery in 1 week~questions!
3
Mon, 02-26-2007 - 10:21pm

I am having a partial thyroidectomy next Tuesday and I am starting to panic! All of a sudden I am having so many questions. One question I have is about the need for meds afterward. I am having my right side removed because of a goiter that has grown over the past year even though I am taking levothyroxine 100mcg to try to stop the growth. Thank God my levels are all fine, but will having the right side taken out affect my levels? Will I develop a thyroid condition because of it?

Also, I have not had blood work done since the end of last April. My primary doctor said that it's fine and that they will do all the bloodwork after the surgery to see how I am then, not before because what happens after the surgery is what we will focus on. I still sometimes think that they should check the levels before since it's been about 10 months since the last test.

Also, I don't need to have any pre-op testing done; this has been told to me by my primary, the surgeon and the hospital. Am I crazy or does this sound rightto you? I am 38 years old with no other medical issues, but I would think that they'd have to do something, right?

Ok, enough for now, thank you so much for any replies~
Jill in NJ

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 02-27-2007 - 6:09pm

Hi Jill,


Welcome to our board.


Those are great questions.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-1999
Tue, 02-27-2007 - 8:13pm

Hi Jill from NJ .. I am in NJ, too, and had a partial thyroidectomy in January.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2007
Wed, 02-28-2007 - 3:06pm

I had a partial 1 month ago, and it was the easiest surgery I had ever been through! 90-98% of all patient with just a partial thyroid will NOT need medication, my labs were always normal but had a 3 cm cold nodule that was sucspicious for cancer so they removed it. You will be great! I too had no pre op bloodwork and I am 38 as well, so that is not out of the norm.... DONT PANIC all sounds just right.. just rest after surgery try and leave the incision open to air it will heal much faster. Drinks lots of water you will have a sore throat. lil stiff neck kinda feels like it has been sewn on...lol, but really there is no pain in the incision, you would think so but truly very easy surgery and recovery!!!! I too was scared to death but had many people helped that had been through it and told me the same as I am telling you. It helped me tremendously and I went into surgery with a eased peace of mind, Voice may be horse for a while but almost always comes back, though mine was fine. So I hope all this helps... please dont freak out you will be so glad it is out and will all be worth it! God bless and good luck!

Kelly~