Any tips for helping incision swelling go down?

[LuvOrlando]

So my Thyroid surgery was 2 weeks 1 day ago and i am just not healing as quickly as I would like. For one thing the lump is still pretty big in front, think hotdog under the skin and the swelling is still pressing on the inside of my throat which is causing a pretty nauseating gagging sensation.

Is there anything at all i can do about this? Anything I can do to help the healing? At the moment my incision is still covered with tape and i was given strict instructions by the surgeon to not mess with it until Friday. I know massaging it should help with the scar, which actually looks paper thin at the moment but would that also help my body get rid of whatever is in there causing the swelling. Sometimes I feel ok but when I try to go out and do things the swelling seems to get irritated and I suffer for hours. Uggh, I really thought I would be back to myself by now.

If you have any advice please help, sometimes i am just so miserable I can't stand it Right now is one of those times : (

 

[Christine]

I think you are expecting too much, too soon. I never had a drain so I had the swelling too. I don't overly remember the choking sensation but it was there because I was uncomfortable in a turtleneck for a LONG time. I had my surgery in August and I had problems all that next winter.

There's really nothing you can do at this point but wait. I wore the steri-strips for awhile and then a bandage after that (my choice) because it looked so red and awful it was scaring people). Then, one day, it just looked better.

 

[minniebeth]

No advice, just a to say I hope it feels better soon! Hang in there!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I think time and patience will be your two biggest friends.

I had the drains in for weeks, but that is not normal as I had to have 3 surgerys in 14 hours. They really helped with the swelling.

For the choking, I have that sensation alot, but then the whole L side of my neck is dissected. Finding a comfortable position helps.

I am assuming you did not get the biopsy results back yet? Wishing you all the best and..

OT: I see your surgeon is presenting a big session at a conferencce in Oct. that my stomach surgeon always goes to. I wish my ent would go there as it looks like alot of interesting sessions etc.

Hang in there. It does take time. I have just learned to deal with my scar. It doesnt bother me, but sometimes jewlerly is not good to wear etc.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Did they prescribed you an anti-inflammatory?? That's the best way to reduce swelling.

Sit tight and don't mess with it. My mom and one of my co-workers both had theirs done and you can't even tell.

 

[mommasita]

I agree on expecting too much too soon. I think we all do this.
I am as guilty as you are, but I am SLOWLY realizing to take it one day at a time. So long as the Dr. thinks it is healing on time, and well, then it is. Do you, or have you seen the Dr recently? This is what helps me in the process.

The choking is very normal.