After thyroid cancer surgery, what to do in life

  Active exercise is not a problem, and there is no need for special dietary restrictions. As for iodine-containing foods such as seaweed, it is not necessary to consider too much except for people with thyroid glandular hormone deficiency. Iodine intake does not have any adverse effect on the postoperative follow-up of thyroid cancer.  Outpatient follow-up after discharge from hospital is important. The incision, blood calcium and thyroid hormone levels, and recurrence should be noted. Although most thyroid cancers grow slowly, they may recur after many years and lifelong follow-up is necessary. Follow-up visits are scheduled at 2 weeks, 2 months and 6 months after surgery, and the first 3 visits are for different purposes. Follow-up visits include palpation, blood, ultrasound and electrocardiogram, and bone density as appropriate.  Compared with the thorax and abdomen, the neck is sensitized, and discomfort is inevitable after neck surgery, including various symptoms such as a feeling of blockage and strangulation in the larynx, difficulty swallowing, change in voice (even if there is no numbness of the recurrent laryngeal nerve), neck pulling, and shoulder soreness. The postoperative sensation is delayed and pure, so these symptoms start 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, i.e., at the time of discharge, and last at least 2 months. In patients who have undergone lateral cervical lymph node dissection, the discomfort may last for several years.  In fact, these are sensory problems and have nothing to do with the nature of the lesion or the success of the surgery. Early traction or massage of the neck may be effective. Due to the fear of pain and the fear of movement, scar formation will occur around the incision and the symptoms will hardly disappear. These symptoms need not be overly concerned, please return to normal life early.