hypothyroidism- anyone had the op to remove gland?

DH had half his thyroid and a large tumour removed (benign) about twelve years ago - a couple of days in hospital and came home looking like a Lamb cutlet as he had butterfly things holding the incision. Now you can hardly see the scar at all. He had a scan which cannot have been too traumatic as I don’t remember him moaning about it.
I had a brain MRI scan about three years ago and was unaware of the drip thing in my hand - they played music and I just closed my eyes and went with the flow. The machine is a bit clunky but that is all. They give you a button to press if you get too worried in there.

I had my thyroid gland removed several years ago as it was starting to obstruct my breathing. The scan I had was a simple hand held one like the ones you have in pregnancy, not a problem at all, but yours sounds different.
The op took a couple of hours and I was kept in overnight. Recovery was about six weeks in total I think. The scar is barely visible now.
Trying to find the right dose of replacement levothyroxine took quite a few months though.
Any operation on your throat sounds alarming, but of course you’re not aware of anything.
Good luck purplenanny.

My friend delayed having her benign tumour removed until her breathing was affected. She gave in had it done and wished she had had it done much earlier.

I had my thyroid removed about 11 years ago as it was very enlarged and like mostly harmless obstructing my breathing and swallowing. I had a few different scans beforehand- one was needle biopsy which was done with aid of ultrasound. Slightly painful. Another was CT scan.

I found the prospect of my neck being cut open very alarming but also was getting more uncomfortable with the pressure on my neck. I was in hospital for 3 days but recovered very quickly. I got a month off work but could have gone back in 2 weeks. Luckily my dose of thyroxine was right from the beginning and I’ve had no problems since the surgery.

Hope your needle phobia won’t cause you too much difficulty. Talk to doc about this and they might give you something to help you cope.

Please don’t worry and go get it done. I had the ultrasound and needle biopsy, I didn’t find it traumatic. However, we are all different in how we react to medical procedures. It would be best if you tell the staff of you fears and concerns, they will do their best to put you at ease. I had to have both parts of the thyroid removed and had a longer hospital stay but my case was not the usual and quite rare. I was feeling so much better very quickly and still am. Good luck OP

If you tell them about your needle phobia ahead of time, they can use a special cream on your skin which totally numbs it. You won't even know when they insert the needle. I've had many scans and they are nothing worse than a normal X Ray, you just lie there and the machine takes some pictures.

Thank you everyone for your kind and helpful replies.
I am not getting notified of replies, so I need to look at my profile I think.
I am not sure if my op is the same as it is done as a day patient and they remove 1 of 4 parathyroid glands once they find the one causing the problem with all these tests/sacans.
Thanks for the advice re the numbing cream for the injections. I have never had an op so very nervous. I will tell the nursing staff beforehand.
Thank you all.
PN x

My op (to remove whole Thyroid gland) was supposed to be day surgery too purplenanny but I was kept in overnight as it turned out to be a longer op than expected.
I’m sure it will all be fine xx

I had a thyroidectomy about 35 years ago and a parathyroidectomy 15 years ago, both with benign tumours. It took a while to get a good balance with replacement thyroid medication but that’s the only problem with it. I’m lucky that I’m not bothered with needles, scans etc. I have to inject myself 4 times a day so it’s a good thing I’m not!