Testimonial - Personalized Surgical Care

In this patient testimonial, Vikki Robertson shares her experience undergoing surgery for thyroid cancer at her local hospital in Brookings, South Dakota. She describes the personalized attention she received, what it was like working directly with her surgeon, and why local surgical care made a meaningful difference during a difficult diagnosis.

  • Direct, Personal Communication: The surgeon worked with her one-on-one, clearly explaining the procedure and what to expect.
  • Total Thyroidectomy for Cancer: Surgery was recommended after a thyroid cancer diagnosis, with a clear plan and guidance.
  • Advantages of Local Care: Fewer trips, convenient access, and care close to home reduced stress.
  • Individualized Attention: A smaller hospital environment allowed staff to treat her by name and tailor care to her needs.
  • Smooth Recovery and Follow-Up: One-night hospital stay, well-healed incision, minimal complications, and rapid response to after-hours concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

A total thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the entire thyroid gland. It is commonly performed to treat thyroid cancer, large goiters, or certain thyroid disorders when full removal is medically recommended.

Surgery is typically recommended when thyroid cancer is confirmed through imaging and biopsy. A total thyroidectomy may be advised depending on the type, size, and spread of the cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health.

Alternatives may include a partial thyroidectomy (removal of only part of the gland), active surveillance for very small, low-risk cancers, or additional treatments such as radioactive iodine therapy. The appropriate option depends on cancer type, staging, and physician recommendation.

Common risks include bleeding, infection, temporary or permanent hoarseness due to nerve irritation, and changes in calcium levels. Most patients recover well, especially when the procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon.

Most patients stay in the hospital for a short period, sometimes just one night. Recovery typically includes incision healing over several weeks and lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy since the gland has been removed.

Video Transcript

My name is Vikki Robertson. I am from Brookings, South Dakota. I've lived here my whole life.

Discovering Cancer

In October of last year I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and so my doctor, Dr. Vande Kop, recommended Dr. Oey-Devine for a total thyroidectomy.
 

Working with Dr. Oey-Devine

The thing I appreciated most was Dr. Oey-Devine approaching me directly instead of kind of around me where you can get that in some other, larger places. She's very personable. She was in... I only saw her. I didn't see another doctor working with her or a physician's assistant under her. It was only her and her nurse that I saw. She's very easy to talk to, she's very relaxed. She's very good at explaining the procedure and what's to follow and what to expect. I had very few questions with her.

Coming from a scary cancer situation that is I think very important to have in a doctor.

Advantages of  Local Surgery

I had recently had another procedure done in Sioux Falls and it was two trips to Sioux Falls a couple times a week for a couple weeks there and I was done with that. [Laughter]

Personalized Care

It's a smaller hospital so the staff treats you more by name than just a number on a chart. It's important because your staff is a little more catered to your individual needs and they're able to look after you a little bit better.

Recovery

I spent just one night in the hospital. My incision from my surgery has healed very well. I've had very few complications. I think during the procedure I think she was very thorough in what she was looking for and it was a very good experience for me.

Going Above and Beyond

One night I was feeling very weird and she had given me a list of symptoms to watch and I called the emergency room because it was late the night before Thanksgiving. And so I called the emergency room and they said well let's call Dr. Oey-Devine and we'll call you back. I think I had a phone call within 10 minutes and I was very impressed with that because it was the night before a holiday and she was there to kind of help me through that.

Would You Recommend Dr. Oey-Devine?

I would absolutely recommend anyone needing a general surgeon to go with Dr. Oey-Devine. Normally I would not do anything like this I will tell you that but I really like Dr. Oey-Devine.

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