This will help improve the long-term appearance of your thyroid surgery scar. Experts at Johns Hopkins recommend covering the scar with a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 for an entire year after your procedure. Also, call your doctor if you run a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher at any point during the first week after thyroid surgery.Ĭaring for your scar the first year after thyroid surgeryĪfter the surgeon removes your stitches and the skin has closed, the best way to care for your thyroid surgery scar is to protect it from UV radiation. If you see pus or fluid leaking from the wound, call your surgeon’s office. If the skin around the wound is red, warm, and or swollen, this could mean you have an infection (though a little bit of swelling and pinkness is normal). As such, make sure to examine your surgical wound for signs of infection each day of the first week after thyroid surgery. Unfortunately, a wound infection can interfere with the skin’s ability to heal, and may make the final scar to look worse. While it is uncommon, every surgery comes with a risk of infection. If you cannot see the skin through the gauze, you are using the right amount. Make sure you use enough gauze to block out all UV radiation. A great way to do this is to use a piece of gauze and frame it with Hy-Tape. Simply put, the less sunlight that strikes your incision, the better your thyroid surgery scar will look over time. Keep the amount of light your scar gets to a minimum, because this will influence the final appearance of your thyroid scar. The new skin that is forming is delicate and extremely sensitive to UV radiation. It is very important, especially during the first week after surgery, to keep your thyroid surgical scar protected from the sun. This is nothing to worry about, but do not disturb the Steri-Strips that remain (i.e., let them fall off on their own). Over time, your Steri-Strips will start to fall off as the glue weakens. You may keep using the same showering method described above. You can continue to shower during this week, but do not take a bath, use a hot tub, or fully submerge your neck in water. At this appointment, you will have a postsurgical evaluation and the doctor will remove any Steri-Strips and stitches that remain. You will likely be told to return to your surgeon’s office one week after surgery. Likewise, Hy-Tape comes in convenient, precut strips.Ĭaring for your scar the first week after thyroid surgery Choose a size that completely covers the wound. Various sizes of gauze sponges/bandages are sold in precut squares. Hy-Tape is waterproof and it removes easily and cleanly, so it is ideal for this purpose. When you do shower (no bathing), try to keep your neck as dry as possible, and make sure to carefully dab (not rub) the towel on the area to dry it afterwards.įor extra protection, many people find it helpful to cover the wound with a piece of sterile gauze and Hy-Tape while showering. In most cases, you will be able to shower as soon as you get home, so it is important to properly care for your bandages and incision. You will be responsible for caring for your surgical wound once you are discharged. While some thyroid surgeries are done on an outpatient basis (no overnight stay), most patients will spend the night in the hospital. This will help you keep from putting extra tension on the incision, and will help minimize pain.Ĭaring for your scar the first day after thyroid surgery Your nurses will be responsible for your incision prior to your discharge, but you can do your part by keeping your head in a neutral position (looking straight in front of you, not up or down) as much as possible. Your surgical site may or may not have a small drainage tube coming from it. However, you will not be able to see them because gauze and medical tape will cover the entire area. Small strips of tape (Steri-strips) will cover your surgical incision. When you awake after thyroid surgery, your main responsibility is to stay comfortable and keep the head of your bed raised. Fortunately, there are steps you can take-starting the day of thyroid surgery-to minimize the appearance of thyroid surgery scars.Ĭaring for your scar immediately after thyroid surgery Unfortunately, the thyroid gland is in the front of the neck, so the incision that a surgeon makes to remove the thyroid gland can leave a noticeable and sometimes unsightly scar. Surgery to remove a thyroid tumor can be a life-saving surgery.
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