Your doctor will probably recommend a thyroid surgery where there is no other alternative than to remove your thyroid, depending on your medical issue. Although many people think of the procedure as a treatment option for thyroid cancer, Gillette thyroid surgery specialists treat more than just cancer. You can also gain from the operation if you have non-cancerous growths like cysts, nodules, or a goiter. Also, you can gain from surgery if you have hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid. Whatever your condition, here is what you ought to know if your doctor has recommended thyroid surgery.
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Your Treatment Depends on Your Unique Needs
If someone you know has had thyroid surgery, understand that your experience can be different from theirs as it all depends on your specific condition. You might benefit from different thyroid removal surgery procedures depending on the size of the thyroid to be removed. You can gain from a lumpectomy when only a small portion of your thyroid needs to be removed or a lobectomy when about half of your thyroid is removed. In most cases, you will require a total thyroid removal surgery to manage most thyroid surgery, and most or all of the thyroid will be removed.
It Can Be Minimally Invasive
Thanks to technological advancements today, many surgical procedures, including thyroid surgery, can be performed minimally. Therefore, you do not have to worry about traditional open surgeries. Your provider can make a small incision in your neck to insert small tools and a video camera to use in operation. This means you are more likely to experience less pain and only deal with a small scar. Also, your recovery will be faster than in traditional surgery. You can also ask your provider if they offer robotic surgery to help you avoid neck scars as it uses an armpit incision.
A Biopsy Can Be Necessary Before Your Surgery
Depending on the symptoms you might be experiencing, your provider might perform a painless biopsy when they suspect thyroid cancer. Your doctor will remove a sample of your thyroid for testing. Sometimes, a large portion of the thyroid might be required to diagnose and determine the cancer stage. Also, your doctor might test the nearby lymph nodes or remove them alongside the thyroid. Therefore, you must discuss any additional procedures you might need alongside thyroid removal with your doctor.
There Are Several Anesthesia Options
You have different anesthesia options on your thyroid surgery day to improve your experience. You will discuss your medications, including your allergies, with your providers to find the most appropriate anesthesia option. Initially, your surgical team will give you an IV and monitor your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure levels. Your provider might decide to keep you comfortable using general anesthesia to remain completely asleep during the procedure. They can also use sedation to block your nerves, numbing away the pain, but you remain awake, comfortable, and relaxed.
Most Operations are Successful with Fewer Risks
Many thyroid surgery operations have been performed successfully, but it is crucial to understand that you can expect some complications. Any form of surgery involves several risks. General complications include bleeding, infection, blood clots, or reaction to anesthesia. Also, you are at a specific risk of nerve damage when undergoing thyroid removal. Ensure you discuss the benefits and risks of the treatment with your provider and ensure you proceed with the treatment when the gains outweigh the losses.
Reach out to Wyoming Medical Associates if you have thyroid issues or cancer to see if you could gain from thyroid surgery. Your provider will help you know the type of surgery most suitable for you and educate you on what you expect.