tjr55
03-07-2006, 04:20 PM
I had a partial thyroidectomy 5 weeks ago. Things seem to be healing fine except that my neck feels tight behind the incision. Not the incision itself, but it's as if the incision has gotten attached to tendons or something. When I swallow, there is a noticeable and not comfortable vertical pulling against the incision; if it continues I'm going to get a bunch of wrinkles forming above. I can't sing in church with my head all the way up and swallow, too.
I've searched these boards, saw several threads but nothing seems to address this. I haven't found anything thru searching google, either.
I'd like to hear from anyone who might have information or experience... is this normal? It doesn't seem as if it is, and I'd like a little confidence when I see my doctor next week for the 6 week check. I did call him 10 days after surgery (it's been like this all along) and wasn't able to talk with him directly; the desk girl relayed the message that "it will soften over time." This isn't an incision problem; it's what's going on behind it that bothers me.
I've searched these boards, saw several threads but nothing seems to address this. I haven't found anything thru searching google, either.
I'd like to hear from anyone who might have information or experience... is this normal? It doesn't seem as if it is, and I'd like a little confidence when I see my doctor next week for the 6 week check. I did call him 10 days after surgery (it's been like this all along) and wasn't able to talk with him directly; the desk girl relayed the message that "it will soften over time." This isn't an incision problem; it's what's going on behind it that bothers me.
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Reece
03-07-2006, 04:56 PM
It's good that you are seeing your surgeon next week. I hope he answers your question.
Keep in mind, inside, a lot of things were cut, and sewed. There are incisions beneath the cut to open your skin, and there was a lot of pulling, and internal stitches as well. And at 5 wks, you may also have internal swelling, which might be giving you the pulling feeling, as can healing.
I had some minor swallowing issues the first few weeks, and those got better with time.
Keep in mind, inside, a lot of things were cut, and sewed. There are incisions beneath the cut to open your skin, and there was a lot of pulling, and internal stitches as well. And at 5 wks, you may also have internal swelling, which might be giving you the pulling feeling, as can healing.
I had some minor swallowing issues the first few weeks, and those got better with time.
MATYA
03-07-2006, 08:12 PM
I am post sugery for a TT 3 months and I still have the pulling sensation, tightness and lumpyness at the incision site. I had a substernal thyroid and there was alot of trauma during this type of surgery . I have been also told that this is normal and the healing process will be long. I cannot sing yet because of the tightness and weakness of the vocal cords. My incision is still very tender. It is very frustrating. :angel: Hang in there and keep us posted.
tjr55
03-08-2006, 08:54 AM
Thank you for the replies; I will report back after next week.
tjr55
03-20-2006, 04:21 PM
I saw my surgeon last week. He says the pulling and tightness is due to my being thin (I'm a runner), and that as the scar tissue resolves it will lessen. I also had a checkup with my regular GP. He said that the scar was looking fine and echoed the above. He said 6 months to a year. I just don't want a lot of horizontal mini-wrinkles beneath my chin, which sounds whiny compared to what others around here have dealt with.
I wish the dr had provided more information before surgery about the recovery time and what was involved. I did not realize really what an impact it would be, and the healing time. He seemed pretty blase about the whole thing and I took my cue from him, before hand, I did read a lot online but didn't find these boards until afterwards.
I wish the dr had provided more information before surgery about the recovery time and what was involved. I did not realize really what an impact it would be, and the healing time. He seemed pretty blase about the whole thing and I took my cue from him, before hand, I did read a lot online but didn't find these boards until afterwards.
MATYA
05-27-2006, 08:02 PM
tjr55: What's happening with your neck? Can you give us an update. I've been posting my situation. Mine is similar to yours.
Thanks :angel:
Thanks :angel:
ljrfrm
05-27-2006, 10:36 PM
I just went to my surgeon yesterday - TT 5 weeks ago and I have the exact same problem. It's so bad that it's uncomfortable to drink, swallow, etc. The whole outside skin moves up and down and pulls when I swallow.
It's adhesions - scar tissue. The surgeon explained that to get to the thyroid, you have to open up the skin and then go through several layers of muscle before reaching the thyroid. Each layer is stitched separately to close the incision - but tend to heal sticking together, thus creating adhesions. You have to massage the area daily to break apart the adhesions. He told me to make sure to massage back and forth - the direction of the scar. Not up and down, as it will make the scar wider and more prominant by the pulling.
He told me this is very normal, but it's also something you need to deal with so you don't have ongoing future problems. It's very painful to massage it still - he said to start lightly and add more pressure as the weeks pass and I'm able to massage harder. He said it could take many months until it's better - hopefully it can get all the way better because this feeling and tightness/pulling is horrible. Also, when I swallow, you can really notice it from the outside wrinkle up and pull - looks not so pretty! :)
It's adhesions - scar tissue. The surgeon explained that to get to the thyroid, you have to open up the skin and then go through several layers of muscle before reaching the thyroid. Each layer is stitched separately to close the incision - but tend to heal sticking together, thus creating adhesions. You have to massage the area daily to break apart the adhesions. He told me to make sure to massage back and forth - the direction of the scar. Not up and down, as it will make the scar wider and more prominant by the pulling.
He told me this is very normal, but it's also something you need to deal with so you don't have ongoing future problems. It's very painful to massage it still - he said to start lightly and add more pressure as the weeks pass and I'm able to massage harder. He said it could take many months until it's better - hopefully it can get all the way better because this feeling and tightness/pulling is horrible. Also, when I swallow, you can really notice it from the outside wrinkle up and pull - looks not so pretty! :)
tjr55
06-01-2006, 07:59 PM
I am sorry to hear y'all are dealing with this, too, but it is nice to know I'm not the only one, and I wasn't just being a worry-wart or something. I hope you both heal very quickly and without any "left-overs."
Okay, I'm just at 4 months post-surgery. The pulling is still there but it's not as noticeable. Ljrfrm, thanks for that word from your doctor. That's more than I got, which was essentially, "just wait." I have tried massaging but I"ll be more intentional now, and horizontal.
The scar is much thinner and less ridged now. It's still a little red, and I'm still really careful about sun (covering it and using sunblock). I have developed a habit of dropping my head down when I swallow to lessen the pulling feeling. I really do still have to do this in church when singing as I can't hit higher notes with my head up. But sometimes I can left my head now when singing, so it is improving.
I try to keep my neck lotioned (i'm in my 50s) hopefully to cut down on Dreaded Wrinkle Formation. Because my scar is better, and it's getting to be hotter weather now I don't wear scarves anymore. I'm public with my scar! woohoo. But that does, yes, make the pulling visible to others.
I did have some minor nerve damage (numbness) on the left side, under my jaw, which is also going away. There was some pain there when massaging that side but it's mostly gone. I can massage pretty firmly now, if that helps you to know that.
When the doctor removed my stitches, the 6th day, the right side pulled apart a little by the time I got home. I didn't call in because the instructions said only if it got to be 1/4" or so. My mom is an RN and I know about butterflies so I butterflied the incision for a couple of weeks, and longer than that during the night. Interestingly, "my" side of the incision is now looking better than the doctor's non-pulled side.
Okay, I'm just at 4 months post-surgery. The pulling is still there but it's not as noticeable. Ljrfrm, thanks for that word from your doctor. That's more than I got, which was essentially, "just wait." I have tried massaging but I"ll be more intentional now, and horizontal.
The scar is much thinner and less ridged now. It's still a little red, and I'm still really careful about sun (covering it and using sunblock). I have developed a habit of dropping my head down when I swallow to lessen the pulling feeling. I really do still have to do this in church when singing as I can't hit higher notes with my head up. But sometimes I can left my head now when singing, so it is improving.
I try to keep my neck lotioned (i'm in my 50s) hopefully to cut down on Dreaded Wrinkle Formation. Because my scar is better, and it's getting to be hotter weather now I don't wear scarves anymore. I'm public with my scar! woohoo. But that does, yes, make the pulling visible to others.
I did have some minor nerve damage (numbness) on the left side, under my jaw, which is also going away. There was some pain there when massaging that side but it's mostly gone. I can massage pretty firmly now, if that helps you to know that.
When the doctor removed my stitches, the 6th day, the right side pulled apart a little by the time I got home. I didn't call in because the instructions said only if it got to be 1/4" or so. My mom is an RN and I know about butterflies so I butterflied the incision for a couple of weeks, and longer than that during the night. Interestingly, "my" side of the incision is now looking better than the doctor's non-pulled side.
MATYA
06-02-2006, 06:27 PM
Same here. I saw 3 different Dr.'s, plus additional Dr.'s I know and still didn't realize what I would actually be experiencing post op.