Thyroid Surgery General Information The thyroid gland is a medium-sized gland in the neck that produces thyroid hormones which help control your energy level among many other things. Symptoms frequently caused by thyroid dysfunction include rapid heart rate, intolerance to hot or cold temperatures, lack of energy, weight gain or loss, dry skin, and hair loss. Alternatively, thyroid dysfunction may be completely asymptomatic. Thyroid surgery is required for several disorders, including cancer, goiter, suspicious nodules, and Graves’ disease, among others. Depending on the reason for surgery you may need half of the thyroid removed (hemithyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy) or the entire gland removed (total or subtotal thyroidectomy). The surgery is done under general anesthesia and involves staying in the hospital overnight afterwards. The main risks involve injury to the parathyroid glands which are tiny glands near the thyroid that help control calcium levels, and injury to the nerves that control your voicebox. If your entire thyroid gland is removed, you will need to be on replacement thyroid medication for the rest of your life. The Procedure When you arrive, you will go to the preoperative preparation area where a nurse will review your medical history and an IV will be started. If you haven’t already done so, you will meet with an anesthesiologist at this time. When the operating room is ready for you, you will be taken in on a stretcher and will meet the operating room nurses who will help take care of you during the procedure. If you didn’t see your surgeon in the preoperative area, you will see him in the operating room prior to the beginning of the procedure. You will then move onto the operating room table and the anesthesiologist will give you medication to make you fall asleep. Your surgeon will then perform the procedure while you are completely asleep. The surgery is done through an incision on your lower neck. When the surgery is completed, you will be taken to the recovery area where you will slowly wake up and regain complete consciousness. A nurse will give you any medication you need and monitor your vital signs and pain level as you wake up. Your surgeon will speak to your friends or family members in the waiting room during this time. Postoperative Information Once you have recovered from anesthesia and your pain is controlled, you will be taken from the recovery area to a hospital room. You can expect to be mildly hoarse for several days as the nerves controlling the voicebox will be swollen. For more information on postoperative care, please click on this "Inpatient Surgery" link.