Thyroid Surgery

What is thyroid surgery?

Thyroid surgery at Arizona Preferred Surgeons is surgery on your thyroid gland, the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces thyroid hormone.

Thyroid hormone helps control your body’s metabolism. Thyroid abnormalities often produce unpleasant, even dangerous symptoms. Thyroid cancer can spread to other parts of your body if left untreated.

Arizona Preferred Surgeons also offer parathyroid gland surgeries.

What are the different thyroid disorders?

Common thyroid problems include:

• Thyroid nodules
• Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
• Thyroiditis (swelling of the thyroid gland)
• Thyroid cancer
• Benign thyroid masses

Thyroid disease can cause too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism).

What are the symptoms of thyroid disorders?

Common symptoms of thyroid disorders that could indicate you need thyroid surgery include:

• Weight loss or weight gain
• Changes in appetite
• Sweating or feeling cold
• Hair loss or other hair changes
• Skin changes
• Menstruation changes in women
• Fatigue or excessive energy
• Difficulty sleeping
• Depression
• Difficulty focusing
• Mood swings

The symptoms you experience will depend on which thyroid condition you have. Your doctor diagnoses your condition and lets you know if you need surgery after completing a physical exam, blood tests, ultrasound, or other imaging procedures.

How should I prepare for thyroid surgery?

To prepare for thyroid surgery at Arizona Preferred Surgeons, your provider might ask you to stop taking certain medications. Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and avoid eating or drinking anything the morning of surgery.

What should I expect during the procedure?

Right before thyroid surgery, you might receive an anesthetic to help you fall asleep. Your surgeon makes a tiny incision and removes all or part of your thyroid gland before closing the incision. They could use robotics or other cutting-edge technology. The procedure often lasts about 2-2½ hours, but every patient is different.

What happens after thyroid surgery?

After thyroid surgery, you can usually go home the same day or the following day. But have a friend or family member drive you there. Follow all post-surgery instructions. Get plenty of rest, take medications as directed, and limit strenuous activity and heavy lifting until your surgeon says it’s OK to do more. Attend all follow-up appointments at Arizona Preferred Surgeons.

If you have thyroid cancer, you’ll need radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other cancer treatments to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer spreading.

Call the office today or book a consultation online to learn more about thyroid surgery at Arizona Preferred Surgeons.