Can you talk after thyroid surgery?

Your voice probably will be hoarse, and you may have trouble talking. For most people, these problems get better within 3 to 4 months, but it can take as long as a year. In some cases, this surgery causes permanent problems with chewing, speaking, or swallowing.

Does thyroid removal affect speech?

Voice changes, such as easy fatigue, difficulty of singing and speaking in a loud voice, and hoarseness, can be frequent complaints after thyroidectomy. In addition, many patients complain of speech alterations such as difficulty of speech fluency and intonation following thyroidectomy.

What can you not do after thyroid surgery?

You will need to take at least one or two weeks to recover before you return to work and other daily activities. You should not lift any heavy objects for about 2 weeks after your operation to avoid any strain on your neck. Your neck is likely to be swollen and may feel hard and numb right after the surgery.

Will my voice come back after thyroid surgery?

Will my voice ever return to normal? As mentioned above, if there is no nerve injury or if the injury is minimal, it's expected that voice changes will settle within three to six months. If one nerve is transected (i.e. cut), there is no possibility of a complete return to normal voice.

How painful is thyroid surgery?

Typically, there is not a lot of pain involved with thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Rarely narcotic pain medication will be required, but it will be available to you if needed. Most patients only need acetaminophen (Tylenol) for discomfort.

Going Home after Your Thyroid Surgery

How long does it take for your throat to heal after thyroid surgery?

Your voice probably will be hoarse, and you may have trouble talking. For most people, these problems get better within 3 to 4 months, but it can take as long as a year. In some cases, this surgery causes permanent problems with chewing, speaking, or swallowing.

What is life like after thyroid removal?

What is recovery like after thyroid surgery? After your thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy, you may have a temporary sore throat, neck pain, difficulty swallowing or a weak voice. Your diet will be restricted for the evening of your surgery, but in most cases, it can return to normal the next day.

How does thyroid surgery cause voice problems?

VOCAL NERVE BRUISING DURING SURGERY

The thyroid gland sits on top of the major nerves involved in vocal function. To remove the thyroid gland, the surgeon has to elevate the gland off the nerve. This may bruise the nerve and make it dysfunctional.

How often are vocal cords damaged during thyroid surgery?

Although doctors disagree on how common the problem is, it's estimated that 5% to 10% of thyroid surgery results in temporary or permanent paralysis of a vocal cord, leaving the patient chronically hoarse.

Does thyroid surgery affect vocal cords?

Patients who have undergone thyroidectomy often complain of changes in voice function (dysphonia) and swallow function (dysphagia) (1). Although causes of dysphonia and dysphagia may vary, one of the most common causes is recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis which can lead to vocal fold paralysis (2,3).

Is thyroid surgery a major surgery?

A thyroidectomy is a common but major surgery with serious risks and potential complications. There may be less invasive treatment options available to you.

Is it hard to swallow after thyroid surgery?

Abstract: Common complaints of patients who have received thyroidectomy include dysphonia (voice dysfunction) and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). One cause of these surgical outcomes is recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.

Will I gain weight after thyroid removal?

Patients with hyperthyroidism commonly experience weight gain after thyroidectomy. This occurs due to the reduction in circulating thyroid hormone, thus ameliorating the weight-lowering effects of elevated thyroid hormones (4,5).

Is thyroid surgery serious?

Thyroidectomy is generally a safe procedure. But as with any surgery, thyroidectomy carries a risk of complications. Potential complications include: Bleeding.

How do I get my voice back after surgery?

Voice therapy with a speech pathologist and/or singing voice specialist may be indicated to help you attain the best voice possible following your surgery and to help stop any negative voice techniques that led to your original voice condition. You may be prescribed an acid-blocking medication after your surgery.

Why do you breathe hard after thyroidectomy?

Common causes of this complication include compression due to formation of a hematoma, tracheal collapse, laryngeal edema and bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and they should be taken into consideration to ensure prevention and/or timely treatment of dyspnea (1,2).

How should I sleep after thyroid surgery?

Head of Bed: Please elevate the head of your bed 30-45 degrees or sleep in a recliner at 30-45 degrees for the first 3-4 days to decrease swelling. The skin above the incision may look swollen after lying down for a few hours.

Can I live a normal life after thyroidectomy?

Despite its importance, you can live a healthy, normal life without it or with only part of it. But you will need treatment to prevent hypothyroidism—or too little thyroid hormone—which can be serious. To prevent hypothyroidism, you will need to start thyroid hormone replacement.

Can you have a normal life after thyroidectomy?

Life after thyroid surgery. Thyroid surgery is a major operation. Most people recover in a few weeks, but the recovery time may take longer for some people. If you are worried about anything, let your doctor or nurse know.

Does removing your thyroid shorten your life?

Aside from having your thyroid levels tested regularly and taking medication daily to give your body the thyroid hormone it needs, people without a thyroid live an otherwise normal life. Adjusting to life without your thyroid means taking medication and checking in with your doctor. Most people adjust easily.

How long will my neck hurt after thyroidectomy?

Most often, neck stiffness lasts for only a few days to a few weeks after surgery.

How long will my neck be swollen after thyroid surgery?

You will see swelling or bruising develop in the area around the incision 1-3 days after surgery. You may also notice swelling, firmness, a pulling sensation, or even some trouble swallowing. This often increases over the first 1-2 weeks and then begins to resolve over 6-8 weeks. These are normal sensations.

What are the side effects after thyroid surgery?

After a thyroidectomy, some people experience symptoms of low calcium such as burning, tingling, or numbness in their hands, feet, or around the mouth. According to Dr.

Is it hard to lose weight after thyroid removal?

Losing weight can be a challenging process for many people who are living with an underactive thyroid. Whether you have hypothyroidism or no thyroid after thyroidectomy (surgical removal of the thyroid) or radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment, thyroid function affects metabolism and can make weight loss an uphill battle.

How long does thyroid surgery take?

Thyroid surgery is done through an incision (surgical cut) in the lower part of the front of your neck. It takes about 2 to 3 hours. During your surgery, your surgeon will examine your whole thyroid gland and remove the parts that have cancer.