I have my surgical consult today and here is a list of questions I have for him. Please tell me what I'm missing…..

SURGERY

Is it true surgery has a more predictable outcome than RAI and a faster solution to feeling better?

What is the risk of damaging the parathyroid and what happens if it does get damaged?

How many Thyroid surgeries do you do a week?

Do you use the special breathing tube to help not sever a vocal cord?

Have I been checked for TSH, T4, T3, TPO (Hashimoto), and TSI (Graves)? I don’t see all of these tests on my labs unless they are named something else.

After surgery will I have Calcium issues and what does that mean?

Will thyroid removal shorten my life when I get older?

Hello - Looks like you have a great start. Here is some additional info from the patient education site at the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons:

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser's “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://endocrinediseases.org/thyroid/office_visit_questions.shtml [endocrinediseases.org]

Hope this helps!

Thank You…… Going to check it out real quick before I leave.

Just added 7 more questions to my list!

You might want to ask if he uses an RLN- Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve- stimulator to help prevent damaging your vocal chords. Not all surgeons use it, but it might give you some peace of mind.

Also, maybe ask what kind of closure he uses. Subcuticular stitches are good (helps with the scar).

The special tube IS on my list…. one of my main concerns. Why wouldn't they use it? Seems just dumb not to. And stitches are added! Leaving now, I will report back