This is my scar at approximately 6 months post surgery. It is still visible but I no longer wear a scarf or anything else to hide it. I tried to keep the sun off of it all summer but I found that this was sometimes difficult. I am still feeling quite well. I definitely feel better than I did before surgery. All of the doctors told me that my thyroid hormones were within normal limits and therefore my symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, dry hair and skin, etc... were not a result of thyroid disease. I do believe in medical science so it is difficult for me to understand why I feel so different now but I do. I have more energy and as long as I watch what I eat and stay active I am having an easier time controlling my weight. My moods are more stable and I think that I am more stable in general. Of course maybe a lot of the symptoms I experienced previously were a result of stress. Although I definitely haven't reduced nearly all of the stress in my life I am no longer stressed over whether or not I should proceed with the thyroidectomy. I now feel that I made the right decision and am ready to move on.
Your scar looks great! I'm having a TT due to a benign multi nodule goiter on december 12th. I'm currently hypo but I have lost about 50 pounds within the last year and a half so I'm really hoping I don't put on too much weight after the surgery. Just like you I've been continuously searching for positive experiences for total thyroidectomies and have come up short. I'm glad you're doing well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I have been lucky with my weight as long as I watch what I eat and exercise regularly. Good luck with your surgery in December. I will keep you in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience. I am 6 days post-opt and just had my bandages removed this morning. And to be honest, I'm horrified at the look of my neck. It looks totally deformed. Haven't stopped crying since I left the drs office. I'm praying that it is just a large amount of swelling and that it will go down. The dr didn't say anything when she removed the dressing, so I'm assuming this is normal. But definetely not what I was expecting. I've looked through your pics and although I do see your swelling, it looks nothing like mine.
ReplyDeleteHow are you feeling after your TT?
ReplyDeleteTo tell the truth I had a hard time capturing the swelling in the picture. I tried taking pictures from the side as well but nothing really captured how much swelling there was. I was worried as well but the swelling gradually deceased and now it is practically gone.
I know that it is difficult to look at the scar, especially after the bandages are removed but it will get better. Everyone is different but take it day by day.
I hope that you are otherwise feeling ok.
Annonymous if you are really concerned maybe you could consider a second opinion or have your GP look at it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouraging words. I'll give it some time to heal and then see what happens. I return to the drs next week for my two week appointment. If I still have concerns, I'll definetly discuss them then. I'm still pretty sore and haven't been able to eat much. Dropped about 8lbs in the last week. My neck still feels really tight and sleeping has been broken. Last night was my first night that I actually slept right through.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for sharing your story and getting back to me.
Anybody used Mederma on the scar?
ReplyDelete