Before your operation for thyroid cancer

You usually go into hospital on the morning of your operation, or the day before. 

You might have thyroid surgery as an outpatient (day surgery). Or you might stay one or more nights in hospital as an inpatient. It depends on the type of surgery you have. Staying in hospital means that the healthcare team can keep an eye on you and monitor your recovery.

Waiting for your surgery date

You might be told that you need to have surgery but then have to wait a few weeks for the operation. This can be a difficult time emotionally. But it does give you time to prepare yourself and have any tests you may need beforehand. It is also a chance to sort things out at home or work, should you need to.

You might feel anxious before an operation. But the more you know about what is going to happen, the less frightening it will seem. 

Tips for coping with surgery:

• Ask your doctors and nurses lots of questions about the operation.

• Be sure about what you need to do before the operation and what to expect afterwards.

• Get things ready to go into hospital, such as nightwear, books, music and magazines.

• Try relaxation techniques as these can be good if you are nervous.

• Try to stop smoking because it helps your recovery if you do.

What happens before surgery?

Before surgery you:

• have tests to check your general health 

• meet members of your team, including the surgeon

• discuss the operation with your surgeon and sign a consent form

This may all happen at a pre assessment clinic, up to 2 weeks before your operation. This allows time to add nutritional drinks to your diet if you need to build yourself up before surgery. You might also need to stop taking some medicines, such as anticoagulants which thin the blood.

Sometimes you only prepare for the operation once you are admitted to hospital for your operation.

Most people are admitted on the morning of their operation or the day before.

Tests before your operation

You have tests before your operation to check:

• you are well enough to have an operation and anaesthetic

• that you’ll make a good recovery from surgery

The tests you have depend on what operation you are having and any other health conditions you have. You might have some or all of the following tests:

• blood tests to check the level of ​blood cells​ and how well your kidneys are working

• a swab test to rule out some infections

• an ​ECG​ (electrocardiogram) or ​echo​ (echocardiogram) to check that your heart is healthy - some people might have both

• breathing tests (called lung function tests)

• a chest x-ray to check that your lungs are healthy

• a ​cardiopulmonary exercise test​ 

The pre operative assessment team will explain what these tests are for and how to prepare for them. You might have these tests as part of your pre operative assessment appointment. Sometimes you have them at a separate appointment.

Pre operative assessment

Your pre operative assessment appointment prepares you for your operation.

You meet members of your treatment team at this appointment and you can sign the consent form to agree to the operation.

Ask lots of questions. It helps to write down all your questions beforehand to take with you. The more you know about what is going to happen, the less frightening it will seem.

You can ask more questions when you go into hospital so don’t worry if you forget to ask some.

At the hospital you might meet:

The surgeon

A member of the surgical team will tell you about:

• the operation you are going to have

• the benefits of having surgery

• the possible risks

• what to expect afterwards

The anaesthetist

The anaesthetist gives you the anaesthetic and looks after you during the operation. They make sure you’re fit enough for the surgery.

The clinical nurse specialist

The nurse checks your:

• general health

• weight

• blood pressure

• pulse

• temperature

The nurse also checks what help and support you have to see what you will need when you go home. They are your point of contact and care for you throughout your treatment.

The physiotherapist

The physiotherapist assesses how well you can move around. They let the doctors know if there is anything that could affect your recovery.

The physiotherapist also teaches you leg and breathing exercises to do after your operation to help with recovery. Learning how to do the exercises beforehand makes it easier afterwards.

Going into hospital

What to take with you

Take in:

• nightgowns or pyjamas

• underwear

• dressing gown

• slippers

• contact lenses, solution, glasses and a case

• wash bag with soap, a flannel or sponge, toothbrush and toothpaste etc.

• sanitary wear or tampons

• towel

• small amount of money

• medicines you normally take

• magazines, books, playing cards

• headphones and music to listen to

• a tablet or smartphone for web browsing, entertainment and phone calls

• chargers for electronic devices

• a copy of your last clinic letter (if you have one)

Family and friends

Before you go into hospital, it might be worth checking:

• whether the ward is allowing visitors

• if they have set visiting times

• the best number for friends and family to phone, to find out how you are

The letter you receive before your operation may contain this information. But if not, you can phone the ward or hospital reception to find out.

You can use your mobile phone in hospital. But there may be some time before and after your operation when you won’t have your mobile nearby. And you may not feel like talking.

Before you go into hospital

It’s worth sorting out a few things before you go into hospital. These might include:

• taking time off work

• care for children or other loved ones

• care for your pets

• care for your house

• cancelling your milk, newspapers or food deliveries

Read more about what happens on the day of your operation