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Just had my Total Thyroidectomy , TT
Hello !
Just wanted to write this post as my thank you note to all who posted here their positive TT experiences !
Like all of you I was worried sick , but after reading many of your stories I found myself feeling much calmer.
I am 52 and just had my TT yesterday . Stayed overnight ,went home today at 12pm.
I've had Hashimoto's thyroiditis for 25 years. I was on Syntroid/Cytomel for almost as long. I've had several biopsies - all benign. But lately it became a problem , as some of the nodules became bigger than 2cm .
So , my husband (an Anesthesiologist) insisted I'll have it removed and I am very happy I finally did it - the nasty thyroid had to go!
It was not working anymore and like my Endocrinologist said "creating multiple health problems you are not even aware of ".
To all of you who are scared to do it - it was not a difficult experience.
Honestly , waiting for it was way more difficult.
Very mild dull pain after , on scale 1-10 it was maybe 2 .
No issues with calcium . First night a little difficult to swallow . They give you self - administering hydro-morphine for pain - no issues there , very comfortable.
I would like to suggest to those who are still looking for a surgeon to get a referral from someone who works in the OR . Like a nurse (an OR nurse) or an
Anesthesiologist. It is important , because these people are the ones who are qualified to make a real educated judgment about the doctor you will be choosing.
My husband worked in the OR many times with the doctor who did my surgery and was very confident about his skills.
Also , you may want to ask whether the doctor you are choosing is using the nerve monitoring device - it is a special tube , either Endotracheal tube-based EMG monitoring, used for prevention of injuring laryngeal nerves which are very small in diameter, and in consequence relatively easy to injure by traction , or Dedicated EMG endotracheal tube(used by Anesthesiologist)
It is a standards of care to use it , but not all surgeons are comfortable with it and not all use it. Good idea to find out about it prior to surgery.
If you are prone to motion sickness you may want to ask your anesthesiologist to give you something to prevent nausea in your IV BEFORE you wake up .
BTW , you can ask OR nurses about good Anesthesia Doctor and most hospitals will let you put a request for him/her.
I hope it is helpful to all who are waiting for and choosing this surgery .
Thank you all again !
Just wanted to write this post as my thank you note to all who posted here their positive TT experiences !
Like all of you I was worried sick , but after reading many of your stories I found myself feeling much calmer.
I am 52 and just had my TT yesterday . Stayed overnight ,went home today at 12pm.
I've had Hashimoto's thyroiditis for 25 years. I was on Syntroid/Cytomel for almost as long. I've had several biopsies - all benign. But lately it became a problem , as some of the nodules became bigger than 2cm .
So , my husband (an Anesthesiologist) insisted I'll have it removed and I am very happy I finally did it - the nasty thyroid had to go!
It was not working anymore and like my Endocrinologist said "creating multiple health problems you are not even aware of ".
To all of you who are scared to do it - it was not a difficult experience.
Honestly , waiting for it was way more difficult.
Very mild dull pain after , on scale 1-10 it was maybe 2 .
No issues with calcium . First night a little difficult to swallow . They give you self - administering hydro-morphine for pain - no issues there , very comfortable.
I would like to suggest to those who are still looking for a surgeon to get a referral from someone who works in the OR . Like a nurse (an OR nurse) or an
Anesthesiologist. It is important , because these people are the ones who are qualified to make a real educated judgment about the doctor you will be choosing.
My husband worked in the OR many times with the doctor who did my surgery and was very confident about his skills.
Also , you may want to ask whether the doctor you are choosing is using the nerve monitoring device - it is a special tube , either Endotracheal tube-based EMG monitoring, used for prevention of injuring laryngeal nerves which are very small in diameter, and in consequence relatively easy to injure by traction , or Dedicated EMG endotracheal tube(used by Anesthesiologist)
It is a standards of care to use it , but not all surgeons are comfortable with it and not all use it. Good idea to find out about it prior to surgery.
If you are prone to motion sickness you may want to ask your anesthesiologist to give you something to prevent nausea in your IV BEFORE you wake up .
BTW , you can ask OR nurses about good Anesthesia Doctor and most hospitals will let you put a request for him/her.
I hope it is helpful to all who are waiting for and choosing this surgery .
Thank you all again !
Keep a mind on the symptoms about 30-32 days out. thats about how long it took for me to feel the true effects of no thyroid and being on the wrong dose of meds :)
Totie,
I was on total replacement for so many years .My thyroid was kind of dead . It should not be a problem with meds. At least , I hope so ...
My endo commented it is more difficult for those who were hyper prior to TT to adjust ...
I was on total replacement for so many years .My thyroid was kind of dead . It should not be a problem with meds. At least , I hope so ...
My endo commented it is more difficult for those who were hyper prior to TT to adjust ...
I had mine out almost 20yrs ago. No issues ...
Lead a normal life..Work, wife & mother...
Just make sure you keep your lab work appt. to make sure you are on the correct dose when you start on it.
It took almost a year to get mine regulated..so have patience.
Lead a normal life..Work, wife & mother...
Just make sure you keep your lab work appt. to make sure you are on the correct dose when you start on it.
It took almost a year to get mine regulated..so have patience.
So glad you are on the mend and for taking time to give some great pointers to keep in mind!
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