Thyroid surgery is a medical procedure performed to remove all or part of the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck and produces hormones that regulate metabolism. This surgery is often recommended for conditions such as thyroid nodules, goiter, or thyroid cancer. The procedure can be done using traditional open surgery or minimally invasive techniques. Recovery time varies, but most patients can return to normal activities within a few weeks. Post-surgery, patients may need to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy to maintain normal hormone levels if a significant portion of the gland is removed.