There’s no denying that surgery of any kind can be a stressful experience. The recovery process is no different. Especially for a process like a thyroid or parathyroid surgery, which deals with sensitive glands in your neck. But you can minimize the stress of recovery and make it easier on yourself and your caretakers by following a few of these helpful hints from the Texas Thyroid & Parathyroid Center in Austin.
Start With An Experienced Surgeon
Your recovery process starts before your surgery even begins. When looking for a surgeon to carry out your parathyroid surgery, look for the most experienced one in your area. Generally, you should look for a surgeon that conducts a minimum of 50 parathyroid surgeries per year and has conducted more than 500 in the course of their career. This ensures that your surgeon is capable and skilled. An experienced surgery will make more precise incisions and be more careful with your surrounding tissues and glands. When your surgery is carried out by a more experienced surgeon, you’ll recover more quickly.
Prepare For Your Surgery
Before you go under, you should meet with your endocrinologist, regular doctor, and your surgeon and develop a pre-surgery plan. In some cases, you may have to stop taking certain medications in the days leading up to your surgery. You may have to adjust dosages of other medications as well. Then, work with your medical team to figure out a post-surgery plan that includes issues like where you’ll stay, pain relief measures, and of course, follow up appointments with your doctor and surgeon to check on the status of your incision and parathyroid.
Stay At The Hospital
While many patients insist that they want to recover from their parathyroid surgery as an outpatient, many parathyroid surgeons suggest recuperating in the hospital. Inpatient recovery is monitored by your surgeon and their assistants, meaning that any post-surgery complications are addressed immediately. You’ll also receive any pain medications you need at the appropriate time. Much of the guesswork about your recovery is removed when you stay in a hospital.
Follow Up With Your Surgeon
After you’ve been discharged from the hospital, you might feel like you no longer need to meet with your surgeon. However, even if you do feel better, it’s important to continue to attend your follow up appointments. Your surgeon may spot complications or other issues that you don’t realize are occurring. Rather than just responding to pain or a lack thereof, your surgeon can specify what’s happening during your recovery period, and adjust your recovery plan to address it.
Don’t Ignore Pain
While there is an expected level of discomfort after every parathyroid, your pain relief medications should largely address this. That said, if you’re experience increased pain or recurring pain, it’s important to take action and seek further treatment. Simply taking more pain medication or ignoring the pain may actually affect your recovery plan, keeping you from getting healthier faster.
Start Exercising Gently
While bed rest is a great way to start the recovery process, exercise is a very important component of your recovery. Mild exercise pumps blood and nutrients throughout your body, especially to the site of your surgery. This promotes faster tissue growth and healing. With parathyroid surgery, your surgeon may tell you what activities you can and cannot do during your recovery and for how long. In many cases, you may be asked to refrain from anything more than light exercise for a period of up to two weeks.
Prepare Your Home
Whether you choose to be an outpatient or finish your recovery at home, you’ll want to ensure that your home is ready for you. While your parathyroid surgery shouldn’t preclude you from enjoying the same foods and meals you enjoyed before your surgery, if your throat is feeling particularly sore, you may want to stock your pantry with foods like soups that are easy to swallow. Additionally, your surgeon or doctor may suggest a diet that will accelerate your recovery time. Keep these foods on hand.
Additionally, create spaces around your home that you can easily access restrooms or comfortable spots so that you can relax while you recover.
Your parathyroid surgery doesn’t have to be a stressful affair. Thanks to the advanced skills and techniques of Doctor Teresa Kroeker, you can quickly recover from your surgery. Dr. Kroeker conducts hundreds of thyroid and parathyroid surgeries every year in the Austin area. If you’re in need of parathyroid care or surgery, don’t hesitate to contact the endocrinologists at the Texas Thyroid & Parathyroid Center.
