Thyroid surgery takes out part or all of your thyroid gland. The gland makes hormones that control how your body makes and uses energy (metabolism). A doctor may take out part or all of the gland when it gets too big, doesn’t work right, or has a growth. Most growths or lumps in this gland are benign. This means they aren’t cancer.

This surgery may be needed for problems such as thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, and hyperthyroidism.
During your surgery, your doctor may take out a lump or nodule. The doctor will take out the tissue, lump, or tumor through a cut (incision) in the front of your neck. You will likely have a tube, called a drain, in your neck. It lets fluid out of the cut. The drain is most often taken out before you go home.