It’s important to follow a special diet after thyroid removal to ensure you’re recovering as quickly as possible. You may have to limit your intake of certain types of food, especially fatty and spicy foods, to prevent complications from forming. In addition to causing sore throat and weight gain, a fatty diet can leave you feeling lethargic and deplete your body of vital nutrients. So, it’s important to avoid these foods for a few weeks after your surgery.
While the most common reason for thyroid removal is for cancer, this procedure is often required to treat overactive or hypothyroidism in some people. While your doctor can remove part of your thyroid or perform a total removal, you may need to take thyroid hormones for several weeks after your surgery. During this time, your body will adjust to a new balance of hormones and may no longer require thyroid hormone treatment. However, if you’re suffering from overt hypothyroidism, you’ll need to take thyroid hormones daily to help regulate your body’s functions.
You will likely have some difficulty swallowing the day of surgery. However, most people don’t need to follow a special diet after thyroid removal. Most people can eat their normal diet the day of surgery, though some may find it easier to consume softer foods for a few days. If you’re having trouble swallowing, try eating soft foods such as pudding, gelatin, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and gelatin. You should also take care to shower or bathe gently the first 48 hours after surgery. Steri-Strips may peel off a few days after surgery.
Your doctor will explain your diet after thyroid surgery. Your surgeon will also discuss with you which foods and supplements are best for you after the operation. A balanced diet and a healthy intake of fruits and vegetables will help you recover from the surgery. You should also ask your doctor for a list of recommended foods after thyroid removal. This will ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible. In addition to avoiding certain foods, you should avoid certain foods that contain high levels of sugar and fat.
Depending on the severity of your thyroid problem, you might need to take a synthetic hormone to replace it. Levothyroxine is a synthetic hormone made by Synthroid. It’s a synthetic hormone that has all of the same functions of the natural thyroid gland. Your doctor can monitor your progress by doing follow-up visits with you. If your condition does not improve after a few months, you’ll need to see a doctor immediately.
As part of the pre-surgery preparation, you should stay out of the sun for two days. Take plenty of rest. You won’t be in good enough shape to drive after surgery. Also, make sure you have a designated ride home. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your medications before your surgery. Stop taking any blood thinners or other medications that may affect the healing process. And don’t drink alcohol after midnight the day before your surgery.