Surgery and life after surgery

Pablo
Pablo Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
I have my surgery on Tuesday and am about to become a member of our group of ex-thyroid owners. Its not the surgery that bothers me, its what life will be like afterwards. I'm a runner and frequent the gym 3-4 times/week. I'm concerned that I'll loose energy and gain weight and the like. Is it possible to regulate back to pre-surgery weight and activity levels. My doctor has assured me that I'll return to my normal life but after reading some other posts, i'm not sure. What has been your experience and is there any advise you can offer?

Comments

  • sngbrd
    sngbrd Member Posts: 2
    #2
    Good Luck with your surgery .... I too have to have the right lobe of my thyroid out. I have a history of Hodgkin's Disease and have just been diagnosed with Hurthle cell neoplasm. I'll find out after surgery if it is malignant or not. I know a gentleman who does Tae Quan Doe (sp?) he had his thyroid removed years ago and stayed in good shape continuing still with his competitions. Good luck to you...: )
  • gacbacker
    gacbacker Member Posts: 14
    #3
    I am a full-time student and like you, work out many times a week. I teach aerobics so I am used to extremely difficult workouts. After I lost my thyroid, I did lose a lot of energy but I compensated for it by ensuring that I was able to get enough rest. After I got started on synthroid, things started to pick up and I am pretty much like how I was pre-cancer days. You will return to your normal life, just do not push yourself. It can be a long process because synthroid needs to be carefully tailored to each person. I just made sure that I took care of myself and I actually didn't gain weight. If you do, it is something you can deal with once you are healthy.
  • rdjc
    rdjc Member Posts: 20
    #4
    Hi Pablo,
    I gained a little weight, but honestly I needed to anyway..Life without a thyroid can be adjusted to. I think doctors sometimes expect us to feel exactly how we felt prior to the thyroid removal, but usually we have to adjust. I am positive that you will be able to work out again, you just have to learn to listen to your body. I have learned little ways to deal with the changes in my body, and with time, I am sure you will too. Good luck to you on your surgery!
  • RMatlock
    RMatlock Member Posts: 4
    #5
    I had surgery a year ago (March 11, 2002). I have trained for twenty years and never stopped. The worse I felt was going off the Thyroid Supplement to have RI therapy. It takes me about 3-4 weeks on the medicine before I feel normal again (I have had 3 RI treatments)and have to go off the medicine about 3 weeks before the treatment. Right now I have had a clear scan and I am waiting nervously for the next scan in May. You will be able to workout as soon as you feel like it. Don't let this stop you from doing what you would normally do (easier said than done). God luck with your training and God Bless You.
  • bigred
    bigred Member Posts: 1
    #6
    I am 20 years old now and had my thyroid removed when I was 15 due to cancer. I was VERY heavy into sports before the cancer and the removal of my thyroid and continued to stay VERY heavy into sports afterward. It took me a very short time (maybe 2 weeks) for my body to adjust to the synthroid and was back into sports as soon as possible. My schedule has been heavy with school, sports, work, and anything else I can get into before and after the surgery so I wouldn't worry too much. I have put on some weight since the removal of my thyroid but sometimes you just can't help that. Don't be too discouraged if you gain a little weight because you'll need to remember... at least now I'm cancer free and that's much more important that appearance anyday! Good luck!
  • patk
    patk Member Posts: 2
    #7
    Hi, Normally after thyroid surgery you are started on a synthroid (med). Due to the tumor being cancerous you will be at a higher level. I have found it very difficult to gain wgt. Sometimes the energy level can decrease due to your TSH level. If you have those symptoms let your doctor know. Good Luck . I have been 5 years without a thyroid.
  • beverly77
    beverly77 Member Posts: 5
    #8
    You will be fine, don't worry! I had put on a good bit of weight before finding out that I had cancer just from the thyroid problem. After I had the surgery and got my synthroid in balance, I went back to a very good weight. I like to be on the thin side so I also work out alot:) I do find that I tremble more than most during a really good class of yoga but .... if this is all I have to fuss about?????? Good luck to you!! You'll be buff and back in the gyn soon:)
  • claireepf
    claireepf Member Posts: 1
    #9
    beverly77 said:

    You will be fine, don't worry! I had put on a good bit of weight before finding out that I had cancer just from the thyroid problem. After I had the surgery and got my synthroid in balance, I went back to a very good weight. I like to be on the thin side so I also work out alot:) I do find that I tremble more than most during a really good class of yoga but .... if this is all I have to fuss about?????? Good luck to you!! You'll be buff and back in the gyn soon:)

    My 35 year old daughter had both sides removed 15 years ago. She doesn't even think of herself as a surviver, just some one who had a condition such as the flu. She is a remarkable woman. Right now neither of us has insurance. I've been on Synthroid for years; lately I tend to 'loose' it (at the Post Office) because I can't let her go without her medication. Have you any idea who can help her get uptakes and medication at a reduced rate? My pharmacy wonders where all my Synthroid goes! Many thanks, Claire
  • LAF64
    LAF64 Member Posts: 20
    #10
    claireepf said:

    My 35 year old daughter had both sides removed 15 years ago. She doesn't even think of herself as a surviver, just some one who had a condition such as the flu. She is a remarkable woman. Right now neither of us has insurance. I've been on Synthroid for years; lately I tend to 'loose' it (at the Post Office) because I can't let her go without her medication. Have you any idea who can help her get uptakes and medication at a reduced rate? My pharmacy wonders where all my Synthroid goes! Many thanks, Claire

    Not sure where you live, but at New York Hospital Cornell for example, they have programs that put dollars aside for people like yourself without the ability to pay or no insurance, etc. You might want to inquire at your hospital for such a program. Good luck!
  • rdjc
    rdjc Member Posts: 20
    #11
    claireepf said:

    My 35 year old daughter had both sides removed 15 years ago. She doesn't even think of herself as a surviver, just some one who had a condition such as the flu. She is a remarkable woman. Right now neither of us has insurance. I've been on Synthroid for years; lately I tend to 'loose' it (at the Post Office) because I can't let her go without her medication. Have you any idea who can help her get uptakes and medication at a reduced rate? My pharmacy wonders where all my Synthroid goes! Many thanks, Claire

    I live in CA, and had to pay cash for my Synthroid for a few months. My meds cost under $20 for the months supply...now I am taking Armour thyroid and the cost is about $15 for the months supply. I don't know if prices vary from state to state, or if there is any way a person can purchase meds from another state or even Canada...just a thought.
  • deb415
    deb415 Member Posts: 2
    #12
    patk said:

    Hi, Normally after thyroid surgery you are started on a synthroid (med). Due to the tumor being cancerous you will be at a higher level. I have found it very difficult to gain wgt. Sometimes the energy level can decrease due to your TSH level. If you have those symptoms let your doctor know. Good Luck . I have been 5 years without a thyroid.

    Hi; I was just diagnosed with papillary cancer in my left thyroid and it is less than 1 cm so it seems they may only need to remove part of the thryroid but getting 2nd opinions with surgeons next week. I am concerned about the potential scar and weight gain after surgery. Wondering if anyone has gone thru this type of surgery and cancer and can provide any insight or additional questions I should ask the doctors.

    thanks,

    Debbie

Discussion Boards