YOLANDA D. HEMAN-ACKAH, MD, PC
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THYROPLASTY
1. No lifting any objects greater than 10 lbs., including pets, children or other objects, for 4
weeks following surgery.
2. No strenuous activity, including exercise for 4 weeks following surgery. Only slow paced
walking is permissible. No running, jogging, bicycling, aerobic activity, Taebo or any
exercise intended to help maintain physical fitness.
3. No straining in the bathroom. If you have problems with constipation, please have a
family member call the office and speak to a nurse or medical assistant to have a laxative
or stool softener prescribed. You may also try over-the-counter Dulcolax or Colace. If
difficulties with constipation persist, please call the office immediately.
4. No vomiting or wretching. If you have difficulty with nausea or vomiting, please have a
family member call the office so that an anti-emetic can be prescribed.
5. No coughing. If you feel a throat tickle or a need to cough, you may take over the counter
Robitussin DM one tablespoon every 6 hours or acetaminophen with codeine (Tylenol
#3) one to two tablets every four to six hours as-needed for coughing. If this does not
alleviate your coughing, have a family member call the office immediately for a stronger
prescription.
Post-operative Instructions Thyroplasty
Page 1 of 3
6. No sexual activity (this includes any activity that will lead to an orgasm) for 4 weeks
following surgery.
7. The incision on your neck is covered with Dermabond, which is a skin “glue”. It requires
no care at this time. The Dermabond will peel off of your skin 10-14 days following your
surgery. It may also be removed by the doctor following your surgery. Once the
Dermabond is removed, wash the skin lightly with soap and water and apply a
moisturizing cream such as Eucerin Cream or Vaseline Intensive Care lotion. Beginning
at about the third or fourth week after surgery, if you scar is red or slightly thick, you may
apply Mederma to the wound twice daily.
8. Do not expose your incision to sunlight or allow it to get sunburned within the first year
following surgery. If it experiences sunburn within this time period, it will heal red and
become red permanently in fair skinned individuals. In darker skinned individuals, the
scar will darken more so than the surrounding skin. You should always wear sun block
with an SPF of at least 30 over the incision for the first year following surgery, and cover
the incision if you are going to be outside for extended periods of time.
9. You were given two different pain medications. One pain medication may work better
for you than the other. You may take one or two tablets of either of these pain
medications (but not both at the same time) every four to six hours as needed for pain.
Do not take more than two of either pain medication within a four-hour period.
Post-operative Instructions Thyroplasty
Page 2 of 3
10. If you were given an antibiotic to take, take the entire dose of the antibiotic until the
entire prescription is complete.
11. Dr. Heman-Ackah placed a drain in the incision to help keep blood from accumulating
underneath the skin after surgery. Do not remove your dressing or the drain. Schedule a
follow up appointment with Heman-Ackah for the day after surgery to have the drain
removed.
12. Usually, swelling in the vocal folds will begin 24-48 hours after surgery and the voice
will become hoarse over the course of the first few days after surgery. This is normal. It
will take approximately 2 weeks for the swelling to go down and the voice to return to
normal. During this period of time, you may talk with comfort only. If it feels strained,
painful, or effortful to talk, it is best to rest your voice. The more you rest your voice
during the first two weeks, the faster the swelling will go down and the voice will return
to normal.
13. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office at (610) 660-8071, to speak
with one of the nurses or one of the doctors.
Post-operative Instructions Thyroplasty
Page 3 of 3