Has anyone ever had a thyroid lobectomy? What should I expect?

Question

I'm having this procedure done very soon and I'm very nervous. I have a suspicious biopsy and surgery necessary. Cancer hasn't been ruled out

Answer 1

The thyroid gland is divided into two main lobes or parts, so a lobectomy is a removal of one of the lobes. This is done when there is great suspicion that the lobe is malignant. A thyroidectomy is the complete removal of the thyroid gland. The surgery is usually not complicated but done under a general anesthesia for patient's comfort and also to immobilize you. Close-by are several important blood vessels and even a small movement would cause damage. As we enter the tissue, we cauterize (or burn closed small blood vessels) and ligate (tie off larger blood vessels), It is a simple matter of dissection of the lobe. During recovery, you will be hoarse and your throat rather uncomfortable....ice chips help but you can also ask for a xylocaine syrup that numbs the nerves of the throat. Usually you won't be able to speak normally for several days and the incision is quite small and will be un-noticed after a month or so. Usually we do several tests prior to surgery to determine the areas of the thyroid that are involved. After Surgery, your physician may prescribe a thyroid pill to maintain proper metabolism....do not exceed the dosage...If it is determined by a pathologist to be malignant, your physician will prescribe chemotherapy. Chemo is pretty rough at times and causes depression. Decide now that you can handle it....not later....NOW....make up your mind today that you will be able to suffer it until you are back in good health. I am a physician and I hate it when people give up....don't disappoint me. Remember it ain't over till the fat lady sings....and she ain't going to do it to you!....PROMISE????

Answer 2

Two years ago I also had my thyroid taken out due to a biopsy claiming papillary cancer. I was scared but had to do it because I had small children at home. The surgery is pretty complicated not as easy as these other people claim. You have to worry about all these nerves and your vocal cords. The surgeon has to take there time in order not to cause any problems. I had complete removal because I had nodes on both sides affected. The post surgery was not painful, I only took Tylenol because I had a head ache from how they position your head. You voice will be much lower for a while because they move your vocal cords to the side.
If it turns out cancer the treatment is RAI radio active iodine, its a cocktail you drink and you stay in isolation a couple days so you are not exposed to other people- but that is usually 2 weeks or more after the surgery. It kills off any vital tissue, you have no side effects like hair loss or nausea, the only thing is a strong salty taste for about a month in your mouth. You can e-mail me after the surgery if you need someone to talk to. Good Luck!

Answer 3

My 14 yr. old daughter had a right lobectomy of the thyroid July 14th and the remainder removed July 21st. The fine needle aspiration biopsy detected papillary thyroid carcinoma. Then, during her first lobectomy, the did a frozen section (froze the lobe, then pathologist examined it) and told us that no cancer was detected, but they would send it to a lab in CA to be sure. Well, three days later, they called and told us that she did have follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma and she had a second surgery to remove the rest. Honestly, the surgery has been about the easiest part of this entire ordeal. BUT, I caution you to find an ENT that is VERY VERY experienced in thyroid removal. The parathyroid glands can be easily damaged during lobectomies, and that is something that you DO NOT want, as it is detrimental to calcium level maintainance. Please ask your surgeon about his/her experience and success rate, especially concerning the parathyroid glands. My daughter did great, but I have been in contact w/ others who were not as lucky. Also, the vocal cord nerve may be damaged during surgery. I only know of one person that has experienced that, but it is still a risk. Overall, the surgery was really not bad. She has a 5-6 inch scar that is already flat and fading by the week. Best of luck to you & email me if you wish. I can tell you more, but I hate to ramble on here. [e-mail]

Answer 4

I've had one and I know how you're feeling. You've probably already been given a basic rundown of how the procedure works as I was. They will put you in ICU for the first 24 hours after the surgery just as a precaution. Try to let your family know it's standard routine with this procedure so that they don't have to worry needlessly. I was told that I would be in the hospital for three days, but they let me go on the second, which was great.
I had mine done in October of 2004 and I can happily tell you that within six months my scar was barely noticeable. Today, no one notices it at all. That was my biggest worry as I'm fair skinned and didn't want to go through life with a Frankenstein-type scar running across my neck.
They will keep you on a soft diet for the first 24 hours after surgery so that your throat isn't aggravated in anyway.
Other than that there's really not much more to it. The only other stressful part is waiting to hear whether or not it's benign or not. Mine was. And another thing, the remaining half of my thyroid seems to be working perfectly. I have no weight gain or energy issues, and have never needed to take any sort of Synthroid medication.
I hope everything goes as well for you as it did me. And please don't worry. Before you know it, you're in the recovery room and it's all over. Good luck.

Answer 5

hello Kathryn,
I'm Doctor and i reed your question>>
thyroid lobectomy done for many patient who have solitary nodule or if the surgeon decide to treat hyperthyroidism by unilateral lobectomy with or without isthmactomy or as apart of diagnosis take biopsy from the gland any how the post -operative complications are unpredictable and depend on the doctore,size of gland,preoperative preparation and other>>>so if your doctor decide to do lobectomy...go ahead and do it and no one can tell you what is your future ,but95%good result

Answer 6

I have not had one, but I am familiar with Thyroid Cancer. If they remove all or just a lobe of your thyroid, it will probably throw you into hypothyroidism. As your thyroid levels drop, there could be significant weight gain, if not controlled. They will probably prescribe you a drug like hydrochlorothiazide to maintian your levels.

Answer 7

So many people have this problem. Especially women. the surgery is simple and you will be OK. Please don't worry. Once I had the grave's disease!

Answer 8

Why don't your morons ask these questions of your doctors!!??