Recovery Time Post Thyroidectomy That will vary according to the type of procedure done and a little bit according to the patient, but many of my patients go back to work the day after surgery, for example. But in general, I tell patients plan to be out of work 7 to 10 days. If you feel up to going back to work sooner, then that’s fine too, but for most people, 7 to 10 days is fine.