Most patients having hemithyroid or parathyroid surgery will stay over night and most total thyroidectomies stay for two nights. Once we get you comfortable in recovery most patients generally have a good night in terms of pain. You will be given paracetamol regularly during your hospital stay and frequently this is all that will be required for pain relief. However if you have significant discomfort please let the nursing staff know as you will be written up for pain relief if it is needed.
Often people describe the worst of their pain being a sore throat similar to when you have a bad cold. This is partly due to the endotrachael tube (breathing tube) that you need for the operation and partly because whilst removing your thyroid your surgeon needs to move the gland around the tube which can cause some mild inflammation. Again if you have any discomfort please let the staff know.
It is not unusual to have some mild nausea and dizziness during the first night. if it is particularly worrying for you please let the staff know as they can give you some medication and fluids to ease this.
During the first night you will generally be allowed to have some clear fluids to drink but not food. The next morning you will be started on a light breakfast and then your diet will progress depending on how you feel. Once you have eaten your breakfast, if you feel well in many cases the intravenous drip will be removed.
If you have had a hemithyroidectomy or parathyroidectomy, if your surgeon is happy with your progress and you feel well, you will often go home around lunch time. If you have had a total thyroidectomy you might stay another night.