Surgical thyroid treatment requires 1-2 weeks off to recover. Patients are recommended to follow a liquid diet for the initial days of recovery because swallowing may be difficult. Pain medication will be prescribed to limit discomfort. Vigorous activities and exercise should be avoided until permitted by our thyroid treatment specialist. Patients who have undergone thyroid removal surgery may be given a calcium course to prevent low calcium levels in the blood (a condition known as hypocalcemia).