Answer: If the patient says immediately after surgery, 'I dont need to take any calcium or vitamin D supplement as my surgery is successful now.'
Explanation:As auto-transplantation of parathyroid hormone takes place after total parathyroidectomy such that the gland is removed totally from its place. Then it is cut into fragments as small as 1mm and placed in either neck or the arm muscles . Now it takes time for these fragments to make linkage and attach to blood vessels so that it could function . This requires time of about 30 to 45 days .
As the parathyroid hormone is now removed and replaced , it is yet to function even after successful surgery,but the body needs parathyroid hormone to regulate body calcium .
So we need to further educate the patient to take calcium and vitamin D supplements for a month atleast. So that the body fulfills its calcium requirements ,until the newly auto-transplanted gland adjusts in its new home .