What does this procedure involve?

A total thyroidectomy is a surgical removal of the entire thyroid gland, typically performed under general anesthesia. Following surgery, I-131 ablation involves administering a radioactive iodine capsule or liquid to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue or microscopic cancer cells, particularly in papillary or follicular carcinoma. The surgery usually takes 2-3 hours, and the I-131 treatment is given 4-6 weeks later to allow for healing and optimal uptake. Patients are isolated for a short period post-ablation to minimize radiation exposure to others, with the entire process spanning 7-10 days in the hospital.