Expert: Karen Brawner - 2/19/2006

Question
Karen, like you my tumor/cyst on my thyroid gland was found by accident and I still have 'normal' thyroid blood results. My cardiologist found it on an x-ray. Needle biop is noncancerous. They are removing the tumor/cyst and left lobe later this week. Surgery is done by ENT surgeon.
Can you provide any info on post surgery, such as what is post surgery like the first, second, third days/weeks/month? The surgery will be in a town 100 miles away. Pre-op is the day before surgery which does not provide me enough time to get the house ready for my return after surgery. Any info on eating, food, supplies that make recovery easier, etc. would be appreciated.
Just looking for any info...THANKS Cynthia.


Answer
Dear Cynthia,   If you have a good surgeon like I did, you will hardly even know you had surgery....  I had staples for closing my incision....  They were NOT painful while in and not painful when the doctor removed them...  I ate anything and everything I wanted because I did not have a sore throat, not even from the breathing tube they will insert after you are under the anesthetic....  I even smoked within 5 hours of my surgery even though I had to go outside of the hospital to do it.....  I needed NO special food, or supplies or anything....  My life simply went on as if I hadn't had surgery....  The only way anyone knew was they could see the staples in my neck and the scar after....

thank you,    karen