Diet Six hours after surgery, if you do not have nausea or vomiting, you can eat a liquid diet. The second day after surgery, you can eat a semi-liquid diet, and return to a normal diet on the third day. Pain From the day of surgery to the first day, the neck incision mostly has varying degrees of pain, which is obvious when swallowing, and is generally tolerable, and it mostly disappears after two or three days as time goes by. Patients undergoing general anesthesia may have a sore throat and cough for 3-5 days after surgery. They usually recover naturally 3-5 days after surgery. If painful symptoms are obvious, you can ask your doctor for medication. Infusions The thyroid surgery incision is sterile, so surgical prophylactic antibiotics are usually administered for no more than 48 hours, and there is no need for prolonged antibiotics and intravenous infusions. If fluids are needed due to weakness, low food intake or other reasons, they will be supplemented at the doctor’s discretion. Activities Upon returning to the ward on the day of surgery, assume a flat position, and after 6 hours you can be semi-recumbent. Pillows should be elevated for 48 hours after surgery. In general, you can sit up the day after surgery and leave the bed without discomfort. When changing position, the head and neck position should be relatively fixed and no large angle neck rotation should be done. 6-7 days later, activities should be started according to the healing of the neck wound. Do not lift heavy objects and do not tilt the neck excessively for 2 weeks after surgery. It is best not to work for 1 week after surgery. If it is heavy work, 2 weeks rest is more suitable. Wound treatment Mild swelling and redness of the wound after surgery is normal and usually subsides within 2 weeks. If you feel difficulty in breathing, you need to inform the doctor in time. The removal of the cosmetic sutures is usually in 5-7 days. You cannot scrub the wound with a wet towel before the removal of the sutures, and you can gently wash the neck with water 2 days after the removal of the sutures. The incision will be stiff within 2-3 months after surgery, which is a normal reaction of the incision and will gradually become softer later. Post-operative follow-up The thyroid gland is an important endocrine organ in the body and surgery may have temporary or permanent effects on its function. The doctor will arrange the time and content of the post-operative follow-up consultation according to the patient’s specific condition. Administration of thyroxine tablets Patients with nodular goiter need to take thyroxine preparations (eugenol) for 1.5-2 years after surgery, and patients with thyroid cancer need to take the medication for life. The main side effects of the drug are headache, heartburn and high blood pressure. Patients need to have regular blood tests to check thyroid function to avoid overdose that may lead to hyperthyroidism or underdose that may affect the effectiveness of the drug. As long as the dosage is appropriate, long-term use of thyroxine preparations will not cause adverse health effects. It is best to take thyroxine preparations in the morning on an empty stomach after waking up and eat breakfast about half an hour after taking the medication, so that the side effects of the medication can be minimized and the efficacy of the treatment can be best. At the same time, avoid taking thyroxine preparations together with medications for stomach problems, as this may affect the effectiveness of the medication.