Thyroid cancer treatment has lots of things going on. In this video, Dr. Clayman discusses what to expect after thyroid surgery and how it changes depending on what kind of thyroid cancer operation you had. If half of your thyroid gland is removed (see our video on Thyroid Lobectomy for Thyroid Cancer), you should be released from the hospital the same day. If your entire thyroid gland is removed or your surgery requires removal of neck lymph nodes (neck dissection), then you will spend a night in the hospital. The incision is not very big if done by an expert thyroid cancer surgeon, so the discomfort of thyroid surgery may be relieved by taking ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). The day after surgery, Dr. Clayman recommends that you resume all normal activity, except for heavy lifting. Your incision will be covered with superglue which seals the incision allowing you to shower and exercise as you normally would. Just pat dry over the glue. Note, these are the expectations if your surgeon is Dr. Clayman. Your experience my not be similar with another surgeon.