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Patient instructions: before and after thyroid ablation
If your thyroid ablation is scheduled, please read this page carefully and follow the medical team's instructions. Good preparation makes the procedure safer and recovery smoother.
1. Check-in
Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled procedure time.
- Location
- Examination Room reception, 2nd Floor, Second Medical Building
Chi Mei Medical Center, Yongkang campus — No. 901, Zhonghua Rd., Yongkang Dist., Tainan City 710, TAIWAN - Reception
- +886-6-281-2811 ext. 57271 / 57272
- Accompaniment
- Bringing a family member or companion is strongly recommended
Please be punctual. The examination room is scheduled for other departments after your procedure; delays may affect your treatment schedule.
2. Getting there and parking
On-site parking is very limited and spaces are usually unavailable after 09:00. Taking a taxi or public transport is strongly recommended.
3. Pre-procedure assessment
A thyroid ultrasound and a vocal cord examination are performed before the procedure. Fine-needle aspiration cytology to confirm the nodule is benign, thyroid function tests, coagulation screening and a medication review are also required beforehand.
If you have had ultrasound, blood tests or fine-needle aspiration at another hospital — including abroad — please bring the reports and images with you. This avoids unnecessary repeat testing.
4. Diet and medication on the day
| Session | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Morning | Eat breakfast as usual; take the prescribed oral medication after the meal. |
| Afternoon | Eat breakfast and lunch as usual; take the prescribed oral medication after lunch. |
"Prescribed oral medication" refers to the anti-inflammatory, anti-swelling and pain-relief tablets given at your clinic visit.
Do not smoke on the day of the procedure, including e-cigarettes.
5. Medications to stop two weeks in advance
If you take blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents, Western or traditional Chinese medicine), health supplements, or fish oil (Omega-3), you must stop them strictly two weeks before the procedure.
If you are unsure whether something you take needs to be stopped, contact the medical team before making any change. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Patients on anticoagulants for cardiovascular reasons need an individual risk assessment.
Please also tell the physician if you have had previous neck surgery.
If you have a cardiac pacemaker, inform your doctor well in advance. A different ablation needle is required and special arrangements must be made.
6. Personal preparation and documents
At least one day before
- Remove nail polish and gel nails — required for blood oxygen monitoring
- Do not wear makeup on the day
- Do not wear jewellery: necklaces, rings, earrings and similar
Bring with you
- Photo identification (passport for international patients)
- Payment receipt
- Imaging and reports from other hospitals, if any
- A current list of your medications
Reception staff will verify your identity and return your documents. You will change into a surgical gown before the procedure; you may bring a bag for your clothes.
The week before
Try to sleep well and rest adequately in the week before treatment, and stay relaxed. Being in good physical condition reduces pain sensitivity and helps recovery.
7. Observation and going home
Thyroid ablation is an outpatient procedure with no hospital admission. After treatment you will be observed for approximately 30 minutes and may go home once the medical team confirms you are stable.
The procedure itself takes about 1–2 hours depending on nodule size. Including check-in and observation, allow half a day to a full day.
8. Aftercare and follow-up
Wound care
- The wound is the size of a needle puncture, covered with gauze on the day
- Replace the gauze with an adhesive plaster the following day
- Healing usually takes about five days, and a visible scar is rare
- Apply ice packs for the first two days
What you may notice afterwards
Neck swelling, discomfort or temporary hoarseness may occur and are usually transient. Contact the medical team if you develop worsening pain, marked swelling, difficulty breathing, or hoarseness that persists.
Follow-up schedule
Ultrasound follow-up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months assesses volume reduction, residual blood flow, symptom improvement, and whether further treatment is required.
Confirmation call
The medical team will telephone you 1 to 14 days before the procedure to confirm arrangements. If you cannot be reached by phone, a text message will be sent. International patients are contacted by email where appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat on the day of the procedure?
Yes. Thyroid ablation is performed under local anaesthesia, so you may eat normally. For a morning session, have breakfast as usual and take the prescribed oral medication after the meal. For an afternoon session, have both breakfast and lunch as usual and take the medication after lunch. The prescribed medication refers to the anti-inflammatory, anti-swelling and analgesic tablets given at your clinic visit.
Which medications must be stopped before the procedure?
Blood thinners — anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, whether Western or traditional Chinese medicine — as well as health supplements and fish oil (Omega-3) must be stopped strictly two weeks before treatment. If you are unsure whether a particular medication or supplement needs to be stopped, contact the medical team first. Do not stop or continue any prescription medicine on your own initiative.
How do I care for the wound afterwards?
The wound is only the size of a needle puncture. It is covered with gauze on the day of the procedure; the gauze can be replaced with an adhesive plaster the following day, and the site generally heals within five days. Apply ice packs for the first two days.
How long is the follow-up?
Ultrasound follow-up is normally scheduled at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after ablation, to assess volume reduction, residual vascularity, symptom improvement and whether a further session is needed.
Last updated: 9 August 2026 | Reviewed by Dr. Mei-Chen Yeh, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chi Mei Medical Center
Questions about your preparation?
Reception: +886-6-281-2811 ext. 57271 / 57272 · Email: [email protected]