Thyroid Surgery | Thyroidectomy in Atlanta

A thyroidectomy removes part or all of the thyroid gland. It may be recommended for thyroid cancer, a suspicious nodule, an enlarged thyroid that affects breathing or swallowing, or hyperthyroidism that has not responded to other treatments.

At Northwest ENT and Allergy Center, Shatul L. Parikh, M.D., FACS, and Ryan M. Kauffman, M.D., evaluate patients for thyroid surgery. Your care plan will be based on your symptoms, test results, and whether surgery offers a clearer benefit than monitoring or another treatment.

What Is a Thyroidectomy?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the lower front of the neck. It makes hormones that help regulate energy use, heart rate, body temperature, and digestion.

A thyroidectomy may remove one thyroid lobe or the entire gland. Before recommending surgery, your care team may use blood tests, ultrasound imaging, and a thyroid biopsy to understand the condition and compare your options. Some benign nodules may be treated with thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) instead of surgery.

Why Might I Need Thyroid Surgery?

Thyroid surgery may be considered for:

Thyroid cancer or a nodule with suspicious test results

A benign thyroid nodule that keeps growing or causes pressure, trouble swallowing, or difficulty breathing

Graves’ disease or another form of hyperthyroidism when medication or radioactive iodine is not appropriate or effective

A thyroid condition affecting both sides of the gland

Most thyroid nodules are benign and do not require surgery. A consultation can help determine whether monitoring, RFA, partial thyroidectomy, or total thyroidectomy is the best next step.

Total vs. Partial Thyroidectomy

Total Thyroidectomy

A total thyroidectomy removes the entire thyroid gland. It may be recommended for certain thyroid cancers, Graves’ disease, or disease affecting both sides of the thyroid. Because the body can no longer make thyroid hormone afterward, lifelong thyroid hormone replacement is required.

Partial Thyroidectomy

A partial thyroidectomy, also called a thyroid lobectomy or hemithyroidectomy, removes one lobe. The remaining lobe may make enough hormone, although some patients still develop hypothyroidism and need medication. Follow-up blood tests show how well the remaining thyroid is working.

What Happens During a Thyroidectomy?

Thyroidectomy is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision at the front of the neck and carefully separates the thyroid from the vocal cord nerves and nearby parathyroid glands. The planned thyroid tissue is removed and sent to a pathologist. Lymph nodes may also be removed when cancer is present or suspected.

Is Thyroidectomy Dangerous? Risks and Safety

Thyroidectomy is generally safe when performed by an experienced thyroid surgeon, but it is still major surgery. Possible risks include:

Bleeding or neck swelling that can affect breathing
Infection
Temporary or, less commonly, lasting voice changes
Low calcium after total thyroidectomy if the parathyroid glands are temporarily affected
A visible scar or altered sensation around the incision

Your individual risk depends on the reason for surgery, the size and location of the thyroid, your medical history, and whether you have had previous neck surgery. Your surgeon will discuss the benefits, risks, and alternatives before you decide whether to proceed.

Recovery After Thyroidectomy

Recovery varies, but many patients return to desk work and light activity within one to two weeks. Your surgeon will give you individualized guidance on incision care, activity, medications, thyroid hormone or calcium monitoring, and warning signs.

For a fuller recovery timeline, read What to Expect After Thyroidectomy.

Thyroid Surgeons in Atlanta, GA

Dr. Parikh has specialized training in minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery and teaches other surgeons advanced techniques. Dr. Kauffman also performs thyroid surgery and sees patients in Canton, giving patients another Northwest ENT and Allergy Center option based on location and availability.

If you have a suspicious thyroid nodule, thyroid cancer, or hyperthyroidism that may require surgery, schedule an appointment online or call 770-427-0368 to discuss your options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thyroid Surgery

Is thyroidectomy a major surgery?

Yes. It requires general anesthesia and takes place near the airway, vocal cord nerves, and parathyroid glands. Even so, many patients go home the same day or after one night.

How much does a thyroidectomy cost?

Northwest ENT Surgery Center offers guaranteed, all-inclusive cash pricing for patients without insurance or who choose not to bill insurance:

Partial thyroidectomy: $7,260
Total thyroidectomy: $7,790
Thyroidectomy with lymph node excision: $8,450

The package includes the preoperative consultation and in-office testing, surgeon and anesthesiologist fees, and facility services and supplies. Outside laboratory testing and an unexpected hospital transfer or admission are not included. A $195 consultation fee is applied to the package price if surgery proceeds, and package pricing is valid for 60 days after the consultation.

These cash prices are not available to patients with a government payer plan, including Medicare, or when insurance is billed. Review current cash pricing and CareCredit financing options. For insurance questions, visit billing and insurance.

Can thyroid cancer come back after total thyroidectomy?

Thyroid cancer can recur because small cancer cells may remain in the neck or elsewhere. The risk depends on the cancer type and stage. Follow-up may include blood tests, neck ultrasound, thyroid hormone management, and additional treatment when needed.

How long does a thyroidectomy take?

Most thyroidectomies take less than 1 hour and are outpatient procedures. The exact time depends on whether the procedure is partial or total, the size of the thyroid, whether you have had previous neck surgery, and whether lymph nodes also need to be removed.

Is thyroidectomy outpatient?

Many patients go home the same day. Your surgeon will recommend the safest plan based on the extent of surgery, your overall health, and whether calcium monitoring is needed.

What happens after thyroidectomy?

After surgery, your care team will monitor your incision, voice, calcium levels, and thyroid hormone needs. Follow-up may include pathology results, blood tests, and medication adjustments.

Can thyroid tissue grow back after a total thyroidectomy?

After a total thyroidectomy, the thyroid generally does not grow back. A very small amount of thyroid tissue can sometimes remain and may rarely enlarge. New or changing tissue in the thyroid bed should be evaluated, especially after treatment for thyroid cancer.

Why is TSH high after thyroidectomy?

A high TSH usually means the body is not receiving enough thyroid hormone. The replacement dose may need adjustment, or medication timing, missed doses, food, supplements, or absorption problems may be affecting treatment. Blood tests help your clinician determine the cause.

Can thyroidectomy cause hypothyroidism?

A total thyroidectomy causes hypothyroidism because the body can no longer produce thyroid hormone, so lifelong replacement medication is required. After a partial thyroidectomy, the remaining lobe may produce enough hormone, but some patients still need medication.

Can thyroidectomy cause hypocalcemia?

Yes. Total thyroidectomy can temporarily affect the nearby parathyroid glands, which control calcium levels. Symptoms may include tingling around the mouth or fingertips and muscle cramping. Permanent hypocalcemia is much less common.

Can I get pregnant after a thyroidectomy?

Thyroidectomy does not prevent pregnancy. Most patients should wait until they have recovered and their thyroid hormone levels are stable. If radioactive iodine is needed after thyroid cancer surgery, your specialist may recommend delaying pregnancy.

Thyroidectomy (Thyroid Surgery) in Atlanta

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Shatul L. Parikh, M.D., FACS