Endocrine,
Gallbladder,
Hernia and
General Surgeon
02380 178 991

Recovery from Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Advise from Consultant Surgeon James Kirkby-Bott

Returning to Day-to-Day Activities

The following advice is designed to help you recover from your operation and enjoy your recovery period. Following this advice will maximise the final outcome you have.

From Day 1

You can shower, be up, dressed and mobile.
Exercise by starting with the neck stretches and a gentle walk. Also stretch your shoulders and add in arm movements like a front and back swimming crawl stroke motion.

Days 2-7

Continue building on the level of movement and exercises from day 1.
Try and avoid anything that makes you look 'plethoric'[A1] for the first 14 days though.

Days 7-10

To be able to drive the law states that you must be able to safely perform an emergency stop.
It is also worth making sure you can turn your head to look back over your shoulder.
This might take 10-14 days.

Day 10

You can take all the dressings off.
You can get the wound wet in a bath or even a swimming pool assuming all the dressings are off and the wound is dry.

Day 14

Running, cycling and exercise classes should be ok. The more strenuous the activity the longer the rest time needed before resuming the activity.

As a general rule if it feels comfortable to do then it is OK to do it. If not comfortable, stop and try again in a couple of days.

Recovery Advice post Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Follow Up

Mr Kirkby-Bott always follows up thyroid and parathyroid cases. At this meeting we can:

Discuss the histology or diagnosis from the resected specimen.
Review any blood results taken to review surgery success.
Check on your thyroid function to ensure you are on the right dose of medication or review your thyroid function after a thyroid lobectomy. This blood test cannot be done less than 6 weeks after surgery.
Discuss any questions you have regarding your surgery, post-surgery recovery and anything else that will help you get the best outcome from your surgery.

We will then discharge your care back to your referring doctor.

Ultimately, it is up to you as to how much you follow this post-surgery advice and information. Your recovery will be affected by how closely you follow this guide.

If after reading this a couple of times you still have questions, please email them to us prior to your surgery so we can answer them and make sure you are comfortable with and understand what you are agreeing to and why.

Hospitals:
Spire Southampton Hospital Southampton Hampshire SO16 6UY
Nuffield Health Wessex Hospital Chandlers Ford Hampshire SO53 2DW

(+44) 02380 178 991

help@jameskirkbybott.com

Consultations available day and evenings

Call us now to arrange an appointment 07936 181 874

Recovery from Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Returning to Day-to-Day Activities

The following advice is designed to help you recover from your operation and enjoy your recovery period. Following this advice will maximise the final outcome you have.

From Day 1

You can shower, be up, dressed and mobile.

Exercise by starting with the neck stretches and a gentle walk. Also stretch your shoulders and add in arm movements like a front and back swimming crawl stroke motion.

Days 2-7

Continue building on the level of movement and exercises from day 1.

Try and avoid anything that makes you look 'plethoric'[A1] for the first 14 days though.

Days 7-10

To be able to drive the law states that you must be able to safely perform an emergency stop.

It is also worth making sure you can turn your head to look back over your shoulder.

This might take 10-14 days.

Day 10

You can take all the dressings off.

You can get the wound wet in a bath or even a swimming pool assuming all the dressings are off and the wound is dry.

Day 14

Running, cycling and exercise classes should be ok. The more strenuous the activity the longer the rest time needed before resuming the activity.

As a general rule if it feels comfortable to do then it is OK to do it. If not comfortable, stop and try again in a couple of days.

Medications Post Endocrine Surgery

Voice Strengthening Exercises

Scars and Dressings

Follow Up

Mr Kirkby-Bott always follows up thyroid and parathyroid cases. At this meeting we can:

Discuss the histology or diagnosis from the resected specimen.

Review any blood results taken to review surgery success.

Check on your thyroid function to ensure you are on the right dose of medication or review your thyroid function after a thyroid lobectomy. This blood test cannot be done less than 6 weeks after surgery.

Discuss any questions you have regarding your surgery, post-surgery recovery and anything else that will help you get the best outcome from your surgery.

We will then discharge your care back to your referring doctor.

Ultimately, it is up to you as to how much you follow this post-surgery advice and information. Your recovery will be affected by how closely you follow this guide.

If after reading this a couple of times you still have questions, please email them to us prior to your surgery so we can answer them and make sure you are comfortable with and understand what you are agreeing to and why.