Patients who have had unilateral parathyroidectomy will almost all go home the next day.  The PTH level is checked few hours following surgery and the calcium level is checked next day.  Most patients are discharged the next day.
 
Patients who have had bilateral parathyroidectomy will mostly go home the next day.  Occasionally they may stay 2 days, mostly depending on the PTH and post-operative calcium results.
 
Most people will be back to work in 2-3 weeks post parathyroid surgery.  This mostly depends on tiredness levels.  Recovery from any surgery depends mostly on the length of surgery and time under general anaesthetic.  The longer this period, the longer it takes for higher cognitive functions to return to normal.  For 3-4hr operation, sometimes this takes a week or longer.
 
Tiredness is a major factor.  In the beginning, it is best to take a nap 1-2 times per day.  Your body will let you know what it needs, so just listen to it.  If you fight it or try to push through it, your recovery may take longer.  For the first 1-2 weeks at work, my recommendation is to go ½ time or similar, whatever is possible with your employer.  You will get tired easily and also you never come back to full time job.  You often need to catch up with things that you missed during your time away on medical leave.  These are my recommendation only, based mostly on my personal experience following an operation,  and also based on discussing with my patients their experience.  You are more then welcome to change these recommendations depending on how your recovery is progressing.
 
Exercise is very important following and prior to surgery.  Prior to thyroid and parathyroid surgery and especially afterwards it is important to do neck exercises.  They will minimize muscle ache due to positioning during the surgery as well as limitation of neck movements following surgery.
Exercise in general following surgery is also recommended.  People should start with walking and progress as tolerated.  Yoga is excellent as firm of exercise.  Weight lifting and straining should be avoided for at least 2 weeks following thyroid and parathyroid surgery.