Recovery after thyroid surgery: week by week

The numbers on this page come from the BAETS patient leaflets and are typical ranges. Your recovery depends on whether you had half or all of the gland removed, whether lymph nodes were taken and whether you have other health conditions, and your surgical team's instructions come first.

Expect a tight, sore neck and perhaps a stiff feeling when you swallow. BAETS calls the operation not particularly painful. Rest with your head supported, and keep to simple painkillers as advised on discharge.

Tell staff straight away about tingling around the lips or fingers, a feeling that your neck is getting tight or any breathing trouble. The BAETS consequences leaflet describes tingling in the fingers and lips as a sign that calcium may be low.

BAETS says the wound may be slightly raised and pink or red at first and takes several months to settle, and advises against applying ointments immediately after surgery. A companion leaflet says scars usually become thin white lines after a year or more, and that exaggerated scars are very rare.

Numbness in the skin around the scar is common and is described as usually temporary. Ask the team how the dressing is managed, since practice differs, and when it is safe to start massaging or moisturising the scar.

A weak or tired voice can follow even when the nerves are fine: BAETS says about 30 per cent have temporary voice change within three months without a nerve injury. If a nerve was bruised or injured the voice can be hoarse and weak, and recovery may take up to 12 months with early speech therapy recommended.

Swallowing difficulties are described as usually temporary. For calcium, take any prescribed calcium or vitamin D tablets as directed and report tingling. After total thyroidectomy you will need thyroid hormone tablets; the dose is adjusted after blood tests.

BAETS says you may drive when you can make an emergency stop and turn your neck without pain. GOV.UK says anyone unable to control a vehicle safely must not drive and that you should tell the DVLA if you cannot drive three months after an operation; insurers may also set conditions.

Office work can restart after one to two weeks and heavier work after about four. Gentle walking helps from the first day. Hold back from heavy lifting and strenuous exercise until the neck feels comfortable and your surgeon agrees.

Results of the removed tissue are discussed at a clinic visit, and for cancer the multidisciplinary team may recommend further treatment. Call 999 for noisy breathing or rapidly increasing neck swelling. Tingling or cramps in the lips, hands or feet need urgent advice from the ward or GP. A red, hot or leaking wound, or a fever, should be reported to the hospital or NHS 111.