Re: question about surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

From the people I know that have had the surgery, hospital time is not long,

the scar heals quickly, and they start their hormone replacement right after

the surgery.

Search the archives for , the posts are from Caroline. Look

for them beginning in September of 2000. She shared so much with us from

her decision making process, the decision to have surgery, the surgery, her

recover, her pregancy and continues to share updates with us as time allows.

After reading Caroline's post, I wish I had gone this route instead of

RAI.

Caroline's posts may help you tremdously,

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

From the people I know that have had the surgery, hospital time is not long,

the scar heals quickly, and they start their hormone replacement right after

the surgery.

Search the archives for , the posts are from Caroline. Look

for them beginning in September of 2000. She shared so much with us from

her decision making process, the decision to have surgery, the surgery, her

recover, her pregancy and continues to share updates with us as time allows.

After reading Caroline's post, I wish I had gone this route instead of

RAI.

Caroline's posts may help you tremdously,

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

HI

Thanks for that - I think a week is probably optimistic for me! Have you been

ok since surgery?

Take care

Re: question about surgery

I had the right side of my thyroid removed years ago. I was back to work

in less than a week. But that was really stupid. The scar is hidden at

the bottom of the neck. If you doctor is skilled you can't see a thing.

[Guest guest]

HI

Thanks for that - I think a week is probably optimistic for me! Have you been

ok since surgery?

Take care

Re: question about surgery

I had the right side of my thyroid removed years ago. I was back to work

in less than a week. But that was really stupid. The scar is hidden at

the bottom of the neck. If you doctor is skilled you can't see a thing.

[Guest guest]

HI

Thanks for that - I think a week is probably optimistic for me! Have you been

ok since surgery?

Take care

Re: question about surgery

I had the right side of my thyroid removed years ago. I was back to work

in less than a week. But that was really stupid. The scar is hidden at

the bottom of the neck. If you doctor is skilled you can't see a thing.

[Guest guest]

HI Jody

that's reassuring. I have read Caroline's posts & feel quite reaasured. I''ll

see what my consultant says tomorrow

Thanks

Re: question about surgery

Hi ,

>From the people I know that have had the surgery, hospital time is not long,

the scar heals quickly, and they start their hormone replacement right after

the surgery.

Search the archives for , the posts are from Caroline. Look

for them beginning in September of 2000. She shared so much with us from

her decision making process, the decision to have surgery, the surgery, her

recover, her pregancy and continues to share updates with us as time allows.

After reading Caroline's post, I wish I had gone this route instead of

RAI.

Caroline's posts may help you tremdously,

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

HI Jody

that's reassuring. I have read Caroline's posts & feel quite reaasured. I''ll

see what my consultant says tomorrow

Thanks

Re: question about surgery

Hi ,

>From the people I know that have had the surgery, hospital time is not long,

the scar heals quickly, and they start their hormone replacement right after

the surgery.

Search the archives for , the posts are from Caroline. Look

for them beginning in September of 2000. She shared so much with us from

her decision making process, the decision to have surgery, the surgery, her

recover, her pregancy and continues to share updates with us as time allows.

After reading Caroline's post, I wish I had gone this route instead of

RAI.

Caroline's posts may help you tremdously,

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

HI Jody

that's reassuring. I have read Caroline's posts & feel quite reaasured. I''ll

see what my consultant says tomorrow

Thanks

Re: question about surgery

Hi ,

>From the people I know that have had the surgery, hospital time is not long,

the scar heals quickly, and they start their hormone replacement right after

the surgery.

Search the archives for , the posts are from Caroline. Look

for them beginning in September of 2000. She shared so much with us from

her decision making process, the decision to have surgery, the surgery, her

recover, her pregancy and continues to share updates with us as time allows.

After reading Caroline's post, I wish I had gone this route instead of

RAI.

Caroline's posts may help you tremdously,

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Jody,

Feel free to post the surgery questions list here....had I thought of it I

would have done it.

Doris

[Guest guest]

Jody,

I have the list of questions, I'll post it here:

Here is a list of questions to ask a surgeon before you are operated on.

These have been put together by several people who had surgery or will be

having thyroid surgery.

1){ How many surgeries have you performed per year and total.} Do you think

you an expert thyroid surgeon? Why?

2){What percentage of thyroid is being taken out?} What will this mean to me?

3){ What is the possiblity of going hyper again? (this will probably also

depend on how much is being taken out)} If it does, would this surgery be

performed in a way that I would be able to have a second surgery if it ever

become necessary?

4) {What is the risk to the vocal cords & parathyroids and how many of his

patients had complications in these areas.} In your opinion what causes the

damage? How can it be prevented? It is my understanding that technique is the

cause of the damage. What is your technique in locating the vocal cord nerves?

5){ How long does he anticipate the hospital stay to be.}

6){ Will he be monitoring the Calcium levels.}

7) {Will there be a drainage tube?}

8) {Will he use Iodine pre-surgery.}Anything else? Will they wait until I am

euthyroid before doing surgery? (I have had a few surgeons already, tell me

that this was not necessary!)

9){Who will monitor his levels after the surgery and discharge from the

hospital. Surgeon or Endo.} Will I be on any medication besides pain medicine

post-surgery? If so, what? {2. When will they be starting thyroid

replacement? Some start it right away and some wait until your levels drop.}

10) Can I see and sign the consent form before the day of my surgery? I will

be too nervous to understand it completely and it will give me time to

discuss any concerns that I have with you beforehand and put things in

writing if there is a need.

11)After the surgery and I am out of recovery, when will I see you to discuss

what happened during the surgery?

12)Are you aware of my other medical problems that may present complications

to this procedure? (if you have any, I do) How will this be handled and

monitered?

13)Where will my husband be, during the surgery? Will you tell him how things

went and how I am doing, right after the surgery? When will I be able to see

my husband, after the surgery is over?

14) It is my understanding that they laboratory test the removed parts of the

thyroid.(I'm not sure how to word this) Will this be done in my case?

15)What kind of Anesticia(sp?) will be used? Who will be performing this?

Will I be able to talk to him beforehand? What are the risks for me? {1. Will

the surgery be done under local or general anesthetic? Most doctors do it

under general but I think some are starting to do it with just a

local....scary thought for me )

16)What kind of closure to the wound will be done? What can I expect from

this? What size of wound and scar should I expect?

17)What do I need to bring with me to the hospital? Anything special? (Any

tips on this from the forum, would be greatly apprieciated)

18)Before surgery will I recieve medicine that will make me relax? What kind

of prep is involved? Catheter?

19)After the surgery what kind of pain medicine will I be given, at the

hospital and after I go home? How much pain will I be in? Are there side

effects to this medicine? The day of the surgery, will you prescribe pain

medicine before you leave for the day or attend to other patients? (in more

than one past surgery for me, the surgeon didn't prescribe any pain medicine

before they left the hospital and so I had to wait until the nurses were able

to get a hold of him, before they could give me anything. One time it took

two hours, this was with a c-section, OUCH!!!!)

20)Who will be present at the surgery? (For me, No students) What will their

role be?

21)Do you think there will be a need for blood replacement? Should I donate

blood for myself? If so, can this be set up to do so?

22)How long do you expect the surgery to take? How long in recovery?

Total time?

23) Will you be using a facial nerve moniter, if so, can you explain this to

me? How will this aid you in the surgery?

this is what we have so far....any additions???

-----------------

Here is some personal experiances, each person is separated by the asteriks:

The only other question I would ask is if you are staying overnight, how do

you arrange a private room. My room mate had a heart condition, snored and

had pneumonia. She rattled, gurgled and wheezed all night. I thought I was in

hell until her monitor went off. Then I knew I was.

As far as checking out the doc, I called the administrative office and just

asked point blank if the doc was in good standing. I was told that he was in

excellant standing. Also I had my GP check him out since it was the endo

referring him.

*********

4) {What is the risk to the vocal cords & parathyroids and how many of his

patients had complications in these areas.} In your opinion what causes the

damage? How can it be prevented? It is my understanding that technique is the

cause of the damage. What is your technique in locating the vocal cord

nerves?~~~~When I first woke up from anesthesia I COULD NOT talk at all! I

was terrified! I just knew that I had lost my voice! But it was actually just

irritation from the tube being down my throat. It felt like I had a ball of

mucuous stuck in my throat but my throat muscles were too weak to cough it

up. I wish someone had warned me that this could happen so I wouldn't have

been so freaked out. I don't think Shari had this problem but I wanted you to

be aware that it could happen so you will be prepared for it.~~~

8) {Will he use Iodine pre-surgery.}Anything else? Will they wait until I am

euthyroid before doing surgery? ~~~ I was still very HYPER when I had my

surgery ~~~~~~~

10) Can I see and sign the consent form before the day of my surgery? I will

be too nervous to understand it completely and it will give me time to

discuss any concerns that I have with you beforehand and put things in

writing if there is a need. ~~~~~My hospital had me to sign my consent form

the day before my surgery ~~~~~~~

11)After the surgery and I am out of recovery, when will I see you to discuss

what happened during the surgery? ~~~~My surgeon came into to talk to me as

soon as I came out of the recovery room and was put into my regular hospital

room.

13)Where will my husband be, during the surgery? Will you tell him how things

went and how I am doing, right after the surgery? When will I be able to see

my husband, after the surgery is over?~~~My husband was able to come upstairs

with me to surgery where they put me in a gown, took vitals and all of that

stuff. Once they took me into surgery he had to go back downstairs to the

surgery waiting area. He was given a pager, but he stayed in the waiting room

all day. As soon as the surgery was over the doctor called the waiting area

and talked to my husband. He wasn't allowed into the recovery room but I saw

him as soon as they put me in my hosp. room.~~~~

15)What kind of Anesticia(sp?) will be used? Who will be performing this?

Will I be able to talk to him beforehand? What are the risks for me? {1. Will

the surgery be done under local or general anesthetic? Most doctors do it

under general but I think some are starting to do it with just a

local....scary thought for me )~~The anesthesiologist (sp?) came in and

talked to me before surgery. He examined my airway and explained everything

and gave me a chance to ask questions.~~~~~

16)What kind of closure to the wound will be done? What can I expect from

this? What size of wound and scar should I expect? ~~~~I had staples

overnight and then steri-strips for one week. The steri-strips kind of start

to peel off on their own. My scar is very thin and is about 4 inches long. It

is a year later now and you have to look for it, it is hardly noticeable at

all.~~~

17)What do I need to bring with me to the hospital? Anything special? (Any

tips on this from the forum, would be greatly apprieciated)~~~Not much! lol

You won't feel like doing much of anything. I just took a change of clothes

and some pajama pants and a t-shirt. Make sure to take a v neck shirt if you

take one. I had a t-shirt with a regular neck line and it was irritating. If

you are going to have many visitors the pants are a MUST or you will be

showing your butt all day through your gown opening! ~~~

18)Before surgery will I recieve medicine that will make me relax? What kind

of prep is involved? Catheter? ~~~ I didn't have a catheter...THANK GOD! lol

My only prep was nothing to eat after midnight, but I was allowed to take my

beta blocker the morning of surgery. I was give medicine to relax right

before they took me into surgery~~~

19)After the surgery what kind of pain medicine will I be given, at the

hospital and after I go home? How much pain will I be in? Are there side

effects to this medicine? The day of the surgery, will you prescribe pain

medicine before you leave for the day or attend to other patients? (in more

than one past surgery for me, the surgeon didn't prescribe any pain medicine

before they left the hospital and so I had to wait until the nurses were able

to get a hold of him, before they could give me anything. One time it took

two hours, this was with a c-section, OUCH!!!!) ~~~ My doc had pain medicine

and nausea medicine prescribed. I took the nausea medication twice but never

even needed anything for pain. They sent me home with a pain prescription but

I didn't take any of them either. Compared to childbirth this is a breeze~

~~~~~

20)Who will be present at the surgery? (For me, No students) What will their

role be?~~~~If you are going to be at a teaching hospital make sure that the

surgeon that you choose will be doing your surgery an not one of his/her

students!~~~~

22)How long do you expect the surgery to take? How long in recovery? Total

time? My surgery took 4.5 hrs if I am remembering correctly~~~

*********************

(please feel free to add any new questions or experiances)

[Guest guest]

Jody,

I have the list of questions, I'll post it here:

Here is a list of questions to ask a surgeon before you are operated on.

These have been put together by several people who had surgery or will be

having thyroid surgery.

1){ How many surgeries have you performed per year and total.} Do you think

you an expert thyroid surgeon? Why?

2){What percentage of thyroid is being taken out?} What will this mean to me?

3){ What is the possiblity of going hyper again? (this will probably also

depend on how much is being taken out)} If it does, would this surgery be

performed in a way that I would be able to have a second surgery if it ever

become necessary?

4) {What is the risk to the vocal cords & parathyroids and how many of his

patients had complications in these areas.} In your opinion what causes the

damage? How can it be prevented? It is my understanding that technique is the

cause of the damage. What is your technique in locating the vocal cord nerves?

5){ How long does he anticipate the hospital stay to be.}

6){ Will he be monitoring the Calcium levels.}

7) {Will there be a drainage tube?}

8) {Will he use Iodine pre-surgery.}Anything else? Will they wait until I am

euthyroid before doing surgery? (I have had a few surgeons already, tell me

that this was not necessary!)

9){Who will monitor his levels after the surgery and discharge from the

hospital. Surgeon or Endo.} Will I be on any medication besides pain medicine

post-surgery? If so, what? {2. When will they be starting thyroid

replacement? Some start it right away and some wait until your levels drop.}

10) Can I see and sign the consent form before the day of my surgery? I will

be too nervous to understand it completely and it will give me time to

discuss any concerns that I have with you beforehand and put things in

writing if there is a need.

11)After the surgery and I am out of recovery, when will I see you to discuss

what happened during the surgery?

12)Are you aware of my other medical problems that may present complications

to this procedure? (if you have any, I do) How will this be handled and

monitered?

13)Where will my husband be, during the surgery? Will you tell him how things

went and how I am doing, right after the surgery? When will I be able to see

my husband, after the surgery is over?

14) It is my understanding that they laboratory test the removed parts of the

thyroid.(I'm not sure how to word this) Will this be done in my case?

15)What kind of Anesticia(sp?) will be used? Who will be performing this?

Will I be able to talk to him beforehand? What are the risks for me? {1. Will

the surgery be done under local or general anesthetic? Most doctors do it

under general but I think some are starting to do it with just a

local....scary thought for me )

16)What kind of closure to the wound will be done? What can I expect from

this? What size of wound and scar should I expect?

17)What do I need to bring with me to the hospital? Anything special? (Any

tips on this from the forum, would be greatly apprieciated)

18)Before surgery will I recieve medicine that will make me relax? What kind

of prep is involved? Catheter?

19)After the surgery what kind of pain medicine will I be given, at the

hospital and after I go home? How much pain will I be in? Are there side

effects to this medicine? The day of the surgery, will you prescribe pain

medicine before you leave for the day or attend to other patients? (in more

than one past surgery for me, the surgeon didn't prescribe any pain medicine

before they left the hospital and so I had to wait until the nurses were able

to get a hold of him, before they could give me anything. One time it took

two hours, this was with a c-section, OUCH!!!!)

20)Who will be present at the surgery? (For me, No students) What will their

role be?

21)Do you think there will be a need for blood replacement? Should I donate

blood for myself? If so, can this be set up to do so?

22)How long do you expect the surgery to take? How long in recovery?

Total time?

23) Will you be using a facial nerve moniter, if so, can you explain this to

me? How will this aid you in the surgery?

this is what we have so far....any additions???

-----------------

Here is some personal experiances, each person is separated by the asteriks:

The only other question I would ask is if you are staying overnight, how do

you arrange a private room. My room mate had a heart condition, snored and

had pneumonia. She rattled, gurgled and wheezed all night. I thought I was in

hell until her monitor went off. Then I knew I was.

As far as checking out the doc, I called the administrative office and just

asked point blank if the doc was in good standing. I was told that he was in

excellant standing. Also I had my GP check him out since it was the endo

referring him.

*********

4) {What is the risk to the vocal cords & parathyroids and how many of his

patients had complications in these areas.} In your opinion what causes the

damage? How can it be prevented? It is my understanding that technique is the

cause of the damage. What is your technique in locating the vocal cord

nerves?~~~~When I first woke up from anesthesia I COULD NOT talk at all! I

was terrified! I just knew that I had lost my voice! But it was actually just

irritation from the tube being down my throat. It felt like I had a ball of

mucuous stuck in my throat but my throat muscles were too weak to cough it

up. I wish someone had warned me that this could happen so I wouldn't have

been so freaked out. I don't think Shari had this problem but I wanted you to

be aware that it could happen so you will be prepared for it.~~~

8) {Will he use Iodine pre-surgery.}Anything else? Will they wait until I am

euthyroid before doing surgery? ~~~ I was still very HYPER when I had my

surgery ~~~~~~~

10) Can I see and sign the consent form before the day of my surgery? I will

be too nervous to understand it completely and it will give me time to

discuss any concerns that I have with you beforehand and put things in

writing if there is a need. ~~~~~My hospital had me to sign my consent form

the day before my surgery ~~~~~~~

11)After the surgery and I am out of recovery, when will I see you to discuss

what happened during the surgery? ~~~~My surgeon came into to talk to me as

soon as I came out of the recovery room and was put into my regular hospital

room.

13)Where will my husband be, during the surgery? Will you tell him how things

went and how I am doing, right after the surgery? When will I be able to see

my husband, after the surgery is over?~~~My husband was able to come upstairs

with me to surgery where they put me in a gown, took vitals and all of that

stuff. Once they took me into surgery he had to go back downstairs to the

surgery waiting area. He was given a pager, but he stayed in the waiting room

all day. As soon as the surgery was over the doctor called the waiting area

and talked to my husband. He wasn't allowed into the recovery room but I saw

him as soon as they put me in my hosp. room.~~~~

15)What kind of Anesticia(sp?) will be used? Who will be performing this?

Will I be able to talk to him beforehand? What are the risks for me? {1. Will

the surgery be done under local or general anesthetic? Most doctors do it

under general but I think some are starting to do it with just a

local....scary thought for me )~~The anesthesiologist (sp?) came in and

talked to me before surgery. He examined my airway and explained everything

and gave me a chance to ask questions.~~~~~

16)What kind of closure to the wound will be done? What can I expect from

this? What size of wound and scar should I expect? ~~~~I had staples

overnight and then steri-strips for one week. The steri-strips kind of start

to peel off on their own. My scar is very thin and is about 4 inches long. It

is a year later now and you have to look for it, it is hardly noticeable at

all.~~~

17)What do I need to bring with me to the hospital? Anything special? (Any

tips on this from the forum, would be greatly apprieciated)~~~Not much! lol

You won't feel like doing much of anything. I just took a change of clothes

and some pajama pants and a t-shirt. Make sure to take a v neck shirt if you

take one. I had a t-shirt with a regular neck line and it was irritating. If

you are going to have many visitors the pants are a MUST or you will be

showing your butt all day through your gown opening! ~~~

18)Before surgery will I recieve medicine that will make me relax? What kind

of prep is involved? Catheter? ~~~ I didn't have a catheter...THANK GOD! lol

My only prep was nothing to eat after midnight, but I was allowed to take my

beta blocker the morning of surgery. I was give medicine to relax right

before they took me into surgery~~~

19)After the surgery what kind of pain medicine will I be given, at the

hospital and after I go home? How much pain will I be in? Are there side

effects to this medicine? The day of the surgery, will you prescribe pain

medicine before you leave for the day or attend to other patients? (in more

than one past surgery for me, the surgeon didn't prescribe any pain medicine

before they left the hospital and so I had to wait until the nurses were able

to get a hold of him, before they could give me anything. One time it took

two hours, this was with a c-section, OUCH!!!!) ~~~ My doc had pain medicine

and nausea medicine prescribed. I took the nausea medication twice but never

even needed anything for pain. They sent me home with a pain prescription but

I didn't take any of them either. Compared to childbirth this is a breeze~

~~~~~

20)Who will be present at the surgery? (For me, No students) What will their

role be?~~~~If you are going to be at a teaching hospital make sure that the

surgeon that you choose will be doing your surgery an not one of his/her

students!~~~~

22)How long do you expect the surgery to take? How long in recovery? Total

time? My surgery took 4.5 hrs if I am remembering correctly~~~

*********************

(please feel free to add any new questions or experiances)

[Guest guest]

Jody,

I have the list of questions, I'll post it here:

Here is a list of questions to ask a surgeon before you are operated on.

These have been put together by several people who had surgery or will be

having thyroid surgery.

1){ How many surgeries have you performed per year and total.} Do you think

you an expert thyroid surgeon? Why?

2){What percentage of thyroid is being taken out?} What will this mean to me?

3){ What is the possiblity of going hyper again? (this will probably also

depend on how much is being taken out)} If it does, would this surgery be

performed in a way that I would be able to have a second surgery if it ever

become necessary?

4) {What is the risk to the vocal cords & parathyroids and how many of his

patients had complications in these areas.} In your opinion what causes the

damage? How can it be prevented? It is my understanding that technique is the

cause of the damage. What is your technique in locating the vocal cord nerves?

5){ How long does he anticipate the hospital stay to be.}

6){ Will he be monitoring the Calcium levels.}

7) {Will there be a drainage tube?}

8) {Will he use Iodine pre-surgery.}Anything else? Will they wait until I am

euthyroid before doing surgery? (I have had a few surgeons already, tell me

that this was not necessary!)

9){Who will monitor his levels after the surgery and discharge from the

hospital. Surgeon or Endo.} Will I be on any medication besides pain medicine

post-surgery? If so, what? {2. When will they be starting thyroid

replacement? Some start it right away and some wait until your levels drop.}

10) Can I see and sign the consent form before the day of my surgery? I will

be too nervous to understand it completely and it will give me time to

discuss any concerns that I have with you beforehand and put things in

writing if there is a need.

11)After the surgery and I am out of recovery, when will I see you to discuss

what happened during the surgery?

12)Are you aware of my other medical problems that may present complications

to this procedure? (if you have any, I do) How will this be handled and

monitered?

13)Where will my husband be, during the surgery? Will you tell him how things

went and how I am doing, right after the surgery? When will I be able to see

my husband, after the surgery is over?

14) It is my understanding that they laboratory test the removed parts of the

thyroid.(I'm not sure how to word this) Will this be done in my case?

15)What kind of Anesticia(sp?) will be used? Who will be performing this?

Will I be able to talk to him beforehand? What are the risks for me? {1. Will

the surgery be done under local or general anesthetic? Most doctors do it

under general but I think some are starting to do it with just a

local....scary thought for me )

16)What kind of closure to the wound will be done? What can I expect from

this? What size of wound and scar should I expect?

17)What do I need to bring with me to the hospital? Anything special? (Any

tips on this from the forum, would be greatly apprieciated)

18)Before surgery will I recieve medicine that will make me relax? What kind

of prep is involved? Catheter?

19)After the surgery what kind of pain medicine will I be given, at the

hospital and after I go home? How much pain will I be in? Are there side

effects to this medicine? The day of the surgery, will you prescribe pain

medicine before you leave for the day or attend to other patients? (in more

than one past surgery for me, the surgeon didn't prescribe any pain medicine

before they left the hospital and so I had to wait until the nurses were able

to get a hold of him, before they could give me anything. One time it took

two hours, this was with a c-section, OUCH!!!!)

20)Who will be present at the surgery? (For me, No students) What will their

role be?

21)Do you think there will be a need for blood replacement? Should I donate

blood for myself? If so, can this be set up to do so?

22)How long do you expect the surgery to take? How long in recovery?

Total time?

23) Will you be using a facial nerve moniter, if so, can you explain this to

me? How will this aid you in the surgery?

this is what we have so far....any additions???

-----------------

Here is some personal experiances, each person is separated by the asteriks:

The only other question I would ask is if you are staying overnight, how do

you arrange a private room. My room mate had a heart condition, snored and

had pneumonia. She rattled, gurgled and wheezed all night. I thought I was in

hell until her monitor went off. Then I knew I was.

As far as checking out the doc, I called the administrative office and just

asked point blank if the doc was in good standing. I was told that he was in

excellant standing. Also I had my GP check him out since it was the endo

referring him.

*********

4) {What is the risk to the vocal cords & parathyroids and how many of his

patients had complications in these areas.} In your opinion what causes the

damage? How can it be prevented? It is my understanding that technique is the

cause of the damage. What is your technique in locating the vocal cord

nerves?~~~~When I first woke up from anesthesia I COULD NOT talk at all! I

was terrified! I just knew that I had lost my voice! But it was actually just

irritation from the tube being down my throat. It felt like I had a ball of

mucuous stuck in my throat but my throat muscles were too weak to cough it

up. I wish someone had warned me that this could happen so I wouldn't have

been so freaked out. I don't think Shari had this problem but I wanted you to

be aware that it could happen so you will be prepared for it.~~~

8) {Will he use Iodine pre-surgery.}Anything else? Will they wait until I am

euthyroid before doing surgery? ~~~ I was still very HYPER when I had my

surgery ~~~~~~~

10) Can I see and sign the consent form before the day of my surgery? I will

be too nervous to understand it completely and it will give me time to

discuss any concerns that I have with you beforehand and put things in

writing if there is a need. ~~~~~My hospital had me to sign my consent form

the day before my surgery ~~~~~~~

11)After the surgery and I am out of recovery, when will I see you to discuss

what happened during the surgery? ~~~~My surgeon came into to talk to me as

soon as I came out of the recovery room and was put into my regular hospital

room.

13)Where will my husband be, during the surgery? Will you tell him how things

went and how I am doing, right after the surgery? When will I be able to see

my husband, after the surgery is over?~~~My husband was able to come upstairs

with me to surgery where they put me in a gown, took vitals and all of that

stuff. Once they took me into surgery he had to go back downstairs to the

surgery waiting area. He was given a pager, but he stayed in the waiting room

all day. As soon as the surgery was over the doctor called the waiting area

and talked to my husband. He wasn't allowed into the recovery room but I saw

him as soon as they put me in my hosp. room.~~~~

15)What kind of Anesticia(sp?) will be used? Who will be performing this?

Will I be able to talk to him beforehand? What are the risks for me? {1. Will

the surgery be done under local or general anesthetic? Most doctors do it

under general but I think some are starting to do it with just a

local....scary thought for me )~~The anesthesiologist (sp?) came in and

talked to me before surgery. He examined my airway and explained everything

and gave me a chance to ask questions.~~~~~

16)What kind of closure to the wound will be done? What can I expect from

this? What size of wound and scar should I expect? ~~~~I had staples

overnight and then steri-strips for one week. The steri-strips kind of start

to peel off on their own. My scar is very thin and is about 4 inches long. It

is a year later now and you have to look for it, it is hardly noticeable at

all.~~~

17)What do I need to bring with me to the hospital? Anything special? (Any

tips on this from the forum, would be greatly apprieciated)~~~Not much! lol

You won't feel like doing much of anything. I just took a change of clothes

and some pajama pants and a t-shirt. Make sure to take a v neck shirt if you

take one. I had a t-shirt with a regular neck line and it was irritating. If

you are going to have many visitors the pants are a MUST or you will be

showing your butt all day through your gown opening! ~~~

18)Before surgery will I recieve medicine that will make me relax? What kind

of prep is involved? Catheter? ~~~ I didn't have a catheter...THANK GOD! lol

My only prep was nothing to eat after midnight, but I was allowed to take my

beta blocker the morning of surgery. I was give medicine to relax right

before they took me into surgery~~~

19)After the surgery what kind of pain medicine will I be given, at the

hospital and after I go home? How much pain will I be in? Are there side

effects to this medicine? The day of the surgery, will you prescribe pain

medicine before you leave for the day or attend to other patients? (in more

than one past surgery for me, the surgeon didn't prescribe any pain medicine

before they left the hospital and so I had to wait until the nurses were able

to get a hold of him, before they could give me anything. One time it took

two hours, this was with a c-section, OUCH!!!!) ~~~ My doc had pain medicine

and nausea medicine prescribed. I took the nausea medication twice but never

even needed anything for pain. They sent me home with a pain prescription but

I didn't take any of them either. Compared to childbirth this is a breeze~

~~~~~

20)Who will be present at the surgery? (For me, No students) What will their

role be?~~~~If you are going to be at a teaching hospital make sure that the

surgeon that you choose will be doing your surgery an not one of his/her

students!~~~~

22)How long do you expect the surgery to take? How long in recovery? Total

time? My surgery took 4.5 hrs if I am remembering correctly~~~

*********************

(please feel free to add any new questions or experiances)

[Guest guest]

I had the right side of my thyroid removed years ago. I was back to work

in less than a week. But that was really stupid. The scar is hidden at

the bottom of the neck. If you doctor is skilled you can't see a thing.

[Guest guest]

I had the right side of my thyroid removed years ago. I was back to work

in less than a week. But that was really stupid. The scar is hidden at

the bottom of the neck. If you doctor is skilled you can't see a thing.

[Guest guest]

Jody,

I bet you are trying to figure out who I am!!! You could call me Sue If you

want, really I don't mind. It is a made up name, because my husband and I

couldn't figure out a 2nd screen name. We had already used our real names,

so we made up jacksue. We were goofing around! He said we couldn't figure

out jack and I said so sue me. Wa la.....Jacksue!!!

It is a great list, one that I'm going to use!

Deb aka lildeb7

[Guest guest]

Jody,

I bet you are trying to figure out who I am!!! You could call me Sue If you

want, really I don't mind. It is a made up name, because my husband and I

couldn't figure out a 2nd screen name. We had already used our real names,

so we made up jacksue. We were goofing around! He said we couldn't figure

out jack and I said so sue me. Wa la.....Jacksue!!!

It is a great list, one that I'm going to use!

Deb aka lildeb7

[Guest guest]

Jacksue,

hee hee!!

Doris

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Recently on the mediboard group, several people who have had surgery or are

planning for it put a WONDERFUL list together of questions to ask surgeons

as you interview them to decide who shall do your surgery. It is essential

that you have a skilled surgeon.

Maybe Doris will put that list of questions to ask on here too, or allow me

to do it. It will really help you prepare for your interviews and feel more

comfortable with the surgeons answers.

Take care, and good luck with your docs tomorrow,

Jody

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[Guest guest]

Hi Doris,

Thank you, I don't like to take posts from other groups without permission.

Could you do me a favor and bump it up to the top for me. I don't remember

what the subject line was.

Jody

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[Guest guest]

Oh Sue,

Thank you so much for this, I have to run off with hubby for a bit so

couldn't have gotten to it until later. It is a good list isn't it!

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Oh Sue,

Thank you so much for this, I have to run off with hubby for a bit so

couldn't have gotten to it until later. It is a good list isn't it!

Jody

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[Guest guest]

Hi Deb

Thanks for posting this list here (thanks Jody for asking for it). It is

a great list and I'm sure will benefit many

in the future.

Cheers

Caroline

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb

Thanks for posting this list here (thanks Jody for asking for it). It is

a great list and I'm sure will benefit many

in the future.

Cheers

Caroline

[Guest guest]

Jody,

Thank-you, I have worked very hard to understand all there is to know about

this disease. The more I learn the less I know! Graves Disease is a very

complicated disease. It seems that I have to re-read things over and over

for the information to sink in. It is probably due to the fact that I never

had chemistry or biology. One thing I learned in life, is that you don't

have to have formal education in order to get educated, so I definately will

keep myself learning and hanging in there with the rest of you!!!

Deb

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb,

Your not alone with having to read things over and over again for it to sink

in! I do too, especially when it is medical articles or research. I don't

have a health or science background either, but oh the things I have learned

in the 2+ years I have been at it, and I continue to learn every single day

from the oldtimers to the brand new folks coming in on this disease.

Your sharing makes a difference!

Jody

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