Pre-surgery dietician counseling can prevent post-thyroidectomy body weight gain: results of an intervention trial.

Purpose: It is widely accepted that patients experience weight gain after total thyroidectomy, and preventive measures should be recommended.

Methods: A prospective study was designed to assess the efficacy of a dietetic intervention to prevent post-thyroidectomy weight gain in patients undergoing surgery for both benign and malignant thyroid conditions. Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy were prospectively and randomly assigned to receive a personalized pre-surgery diet counseling (GROUP A) or no intervention (GROUP B), according to a 1:2 ratio.