Preparing for your Thyroid Surgery

Any type of surgery is surely daunting. It does not even help especially when your body is hormonally imbalanced and your emotions’ roller coaster ride is caused by either the lack or overproduction of the hormones being released by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland produces two types of hormones that are needed by the body to control the way it expends energy. These hormones are the T3 and T4 hormones. When the body either produces too much or too little of these hormones, then an individual may be diagnosed with either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. These two are the most common conditions that target the thyroid, but the conditions and diseases are not only limited to them. The thyroid may also be exposed to cancer. A diseased thyroid can be treated by medication, however not all the time. When intervention of the disease or condition has failed and the gland is placing the body’s health at risk, a thyroid surgery may be the best recourse to treat the body. Information on thyroid surgery in Singapore at Thomas Ho Surgery.

If your thyroid specialist melbourne is just around the corner, do not wait for the last minute to make personal preparations. If you do, there is a great chance that you may miss out on a lot of things that will cause you even more stress. Ideally, you should be getting more physical and mental rest a few days before your surgery, so that your body will be in good health.

Preparations prior to your thyroid surgery

You should start preparing for your surgery at least 30 days before the scheduled date. One important thing to note during the course of your thyroid treatment is your being honest and accountable with your doctor. During your consultation, give your doctor a list of all the medications that you are taking. Medicines can cause risk and complications during surgery and the more knowledgeable your doctor is, the better they can take precautions and keep you safe while doing the procedure. Let your doctor know if you are taking the following medications, may they be oral or topical:

Blood thinners (e.g. aspirin, heparin, warfarin, etc.)
Over-the-counter medications (OTC)
Prescription medications
Vitamins and supplements

Aside from the medications that you take, also inform your doctor about the factors that trigger your allergies, sleep disorders, and any devices that you use in your body (e.g. automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD), pacemakers, etc.). Habits involving the use of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs must also be disclosed.

A healthy body is very important prior to surgery. You can help your body be ready by doing simple exercises, such as walking and biking. Eating a healthy diet is also a must. Be sure to load up on well-balanced meals that are filled with vitamins and nutrients. If you are not sure how to go about preparing healthier meals, you may consult with your doctor or a nutritionist.

As the days get closer to your surgery, additional preparation should be done. At least 10 days prior, you will be asked to stop taking in some medications that cause blood thinning. These medicines include Vitamin E.

A week before your thyroid operation, you will be advised by your doctor to stop taking other medications that you may still be taking. The medicines you should particularly skip in addition to the ones mentioned above include those that have aspirin, vitamins, and dietary supplements. In addition, medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be stopped at least two (2) days before your surgery.

On the night before your surgery, you should strictly not eat anything, including candies. You are only allowed to drink a minimal amount of water from 12 midnight on the day of your surgery up until 2 hours prior your arrival to where your surgery is to take place. You are also not allowed any food or drink, including water, within the time of your arrival up to the exact time of your surgery. If there are medications that you need to take on the morning of your surgery, be sure to get proper instructions from your doctor on how to take them.

Preparations before leaving for the hospital

On the day of your surgery, be sure to wear comfortable and clothes that are loose. Stay away from turtlenecks and collared tops. Since your operation will be done in the neck area, you would want to keep it free from anything that can cause disturbances around it. Leave your valuables at home, such as jewellery. Wear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses, so your eyes can relax fully and be safe from possible damage during the surgery. There is also no need to put on makeup as your doctor will only ask you to remove them before your surgery to avoid complications that can happen, like infections. For people with sleeping conditions, do not forget to bring your breathing machine.

Preparing for your Thyroid Surgery

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