Postoperative Instructions

Postoperative Instructions Following Removal of Thyroid (Thyroidectomy) or Parathyroid (Parathyroidectomy)

You must have a responsible adult drive you home from this procedure.
You must have a responsible adult with you for 24 hours after the procedure.
After surgery, it is suggested that you get regular activity and walk for a total of 30 minutes per day. Start by walking for five to 10 minutes at a time and slowly build to walking for 30 minutes at a time.
Rest is also an important part of healing. Slowly return to your regular level of activity. Save your energy by spreading out activities that make you tired, and rest as needed.
Avoid heavy lifting over 10-15 pounds and strenuous or vigorous activity for two weeks after surgery.
Do not take NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin, Aleve^®, Advil^®, MOTRIN^®, ibuprofen) for two weeks after surgery.
Do not drive a car while experiencing pain or taking prescription pain medication. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medication.
There will be prescriptions sent into the pharmacy for you on the day of surgery, and you will get instructions on how and when to take these from your discharge team at the operating facility.
You can resume a normal diet after the procedure.
It is suggested you eat a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, dairy, grains, and meats.
You should limit the amount of solid fats such as butter, margarine, and shortening and instead get most of your fat sources from fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.

If you are discharged with a drain in place, record its output every eight hours; call Dr. Getnick’s office when output is less than 10mL per eight-hour shift for three consecutive eight-hour shifts; he will then see you in the office to remove the drain. You will get more drain care instructions from the nursing staff at the operating facility.

Keep your incision dry for 48 hours after the drain is removed.
If there was no drain placed, keep the incision dry for 48 hours after surgery.
You may then shower, but do not tub bathe or soak/scrub incision.
Apply bacitracin (which will be prescribed to you) to the incision three times per day for two weeks.
Keep the incision out of direct sunlight for six weeks after surgery.

You feel you are getting worse or having an increase in problems
Fever greater than 101°F
Numbness or tingling around the mouth or in fingers/toes
Increase in shortness of breath
Any signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, tenderness, warmth, change in appearance, or increased drainage) from your incision
Blood in your urine or stool
Nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea that will not stop
Severe pain that is not relieved by medication, rest, or ice
Any other questions or concerns