An approximately 7-10cm incision due to thyroid surgery usually heals within a couple of weeks. After the operation is complete, you need to know how to care for it to make sure it heals properly, leaving the slightest scarring.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Keeping the Engraving Site Clean
Step 1. Keep the wound clean and dry
This is one of the most important things to do after thyroid surgery. Follow your doctor's instructions to take care of it and wash it thoroughly. This way, you prevent the cut from becoming infected and help it heal faster.
- Do not immerse the incision in water until it is completely healed. For example, you shouldn't swim or submerge the wound in water when taking a bath.
- Immediately after surgery, you may have a drainage tube coming out of the skin in your neck near the incision site. this prevents the accumulation of liquid, which could consequently cause infections and greater pain. The tube will be removed by the doctor before your discharge from the hospital, when the liquid that forms is clear and in minimal quantities.
Step 2. Clean the incision area the day after surgery
The next morning you can take a shower, letting the water and mild soap run over the wound. Do not rub it, do not aim the jet of water too hard at the neck and do not apply pressure with your fingers. You simply have to let the water run over the skin and clean the cut site.
Step 3. Change the bandage as needed
Your doctor may give you instructions to keep the cut properly covered with thin gauze secured with medical tape. In this case, you will need to change the bandage once a day to allow the wound to remain clean.
Be careful when removing the old gauze, as it may have stuck to the skin. If this happens, take about a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide or saline and wet the bandage so it can come off more easily. Then, wet a cotton ball with the solution and carefully clean any dried blood left on the skin before applying the new bandage
Step 4. Check for signs of infection
It is very rare for a surgical cut for the thyroid to become infected, as this procedure is considered "clean", with very little risk of contamination. However, after surgery it is important to carefully observe the wound for any signs of infection and to notify the doctor immediately in case of any abnormality. Some of the signs that can indicate the presence of an infection are:
- Redness, warmth, or swelling at the site
- Fever greater than 38 ° C;
- Fluid leakage or wound opening.
Part 2 of 3: Encourage the Healing Process
Step 1. Give up tobacco products if you are a smoker
Smoking can slow down your recovery, so you should think seriously about quitting while recovering. Ask your doctor to point you to some local detox programs or to provide you with other resources to help you break free from this habit.
Step 2. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding food and liquids to take
It is important to eat foods rich in nutrients and hydrate yourself adequately to aid the healing process. After this surgery, you must follow a diet that includes specific fluids and soft foods; You must also make sure that you comply with the recommendations that your doctor will give you from that moment on.
- A liquid diet includes juice, broth, water, decaffeinated tea, and ice.
- Soft foods include puddings, jellies, mashed potatoes, apple compote, room temperature soups or broths, and yogurt.
- After a few days, you can go back to eating solid foods, depending on the degree of tolerance. Following the surgery, it is normal to feel pain when swallowing, so it is a good idea to take painkillers about half an hour before meals.
Step 3. Wear sunscreen when you go outdoors once the wound has completely healed
Use a cream with a high SPF, such as SPF 30, or keep the scar covered with a scarf for a full year. Thanks to these preventive measures against the sun's rays you will get excellent results from an aesthetic point of view.
Before applying sunscreen to the wound, make sure it is completely healed. It will take about two to three weeks
Part 3 of 3: Managing the Pain
Step 1. Take pain relievers as prescribed by your doctor
Most patients undergo narcotic therapy after surgery. Follow the doctor's instructions regarding the dosage and do not exceed the recommended dosage.
- Remember that prescription pain relievers cause constipation, so it's important to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day and eat foods rich in fiber. You should also take stool softeners to counteract this side effect.
- Do not take acetaminophen while taking prescription pain relievers, as you may be suffering from severe liver damage. Likewise, don't resort to non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, as they can lead to bleeding problems.
Step 2. Use a cold pack to manage pain
You can apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth to the wound for 10-15 minutes to soothe the pain. As needed, you can repeat the treatment every hour. Remember to wrap the compress in a cloth or t-shirt to avoid the risk of chilblains.
Step 3. Reduce neck movements after surgery
It is important not to move it excessively for one to three weeks after the thyroid operation. Limit yourself to non-strenuous activities, doctor-approved exercises, and do nothing that puts pressure on your neck.
- Some studies have found that certain exercises reduce common discomforts most patients experience, such as a feeling of pressure in the neck or choking. People who performed these movements also reduced the need for pain relievers. Ask your surgeon for more information on neck flexion and hyperextension. If your doctor agrees, you can do them three times a day, starting on the first postoperative day.
- Avoid any strenuous activity for the first week after surgery, including lifting weights greater than 2-3 kg, swimming, running or jogging. Ask the surgeon for permission before returning to your normal life.
Step 4. Promptly notify your doctor as soon as you notice any complications
After surgery, some serious problems may arise that you need to monitor during your recovery. If you notice any of the changes described below, contact your doctor immediately:
- Weakening of the voice;
- Numbness or tingling
- Chest pain;
- Excessive cough
- Inability to eat or swallow.
