Why does my throat feel tight after thyroidectomy?

Pain in the back of the neck or stiffness of the neck muscles can result from the position of the neck during surgery. Many patients will feel that there is something stuck in their throat or that they need to frequently clear their throat after surgery. All of these are normal, expected symptoms following surgery.

How long does it take for your throat to heal after thyroid surgery?

Most people are ready to return home within one day of surgery, but take off about two weeks from work to recover. You’ll need to refrain from heavy lifting or other tasks that can strain your neck for up to three weeks after your surgery.

Can thyroidectomy cause throat problems?

Introduction. Dysphagia and hoarseness are possible complications that can be observed in patients undergoing thyroidectomy or other neck surgery procedures. These complaints are usually related to superior and inferior laryngeal nerves dysfunction, but these can appear even after uncomplicated surgical procedure.

Why is it hard to swallow after thyroidectomy?

Patients who have undergone thyroidectomy often complain of changes in voice function (dysphonia) and swallow function (dysphagia) (1). Although causes of dysphonia and dysphagia may vary, one of the most common causes is recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis which can lead to vocal fold paralysis (2,3).

Is it normal to have a lump in your throat after thyroid surgery?

You may feel there is a lump in your throat when you swallow. This sensation will decrease with time. This is normal to experience after surgery and will often last up to 5 days after surgery. Lozenges and a softer diet may be helpful until this resolves. You may also feel like you have phlegm in your throat and need to cough.

Do you still have tightness in your neck after thyroidectomy?

Immediately after surgery I began feeling tightness, pressure fullness and a pulling and stretching in the entire neck area. It is still the same today 7 months later.

Is it normal to have phlegm after thyroid surgery?

This is normal to experience after surgery and will often last up to 5 days after surgery. Lozenges and a softer diet may be helpful until this resolves. You may also feel like you have phlegm in your throat and need to cough. This is due to the irritation of the tube in your windpipe during surgery. It should clear up in 4-5 days.

How long has it been since my thyroidectomy?

Its been 5 weeks since my total thyroidectomy. I am also experiencing the tightness, pulling and stretching feelings in my throat, at times it feels like there is a choke hold around the base of my neck.