I have had two VAT surgeries wedge resections (RUL, LUL). For both in the first week I coughed up stuff, cleaning out the lungs. About a month after the first surgery, I developed "congested" cough (wet cough). Mayo told me to get tested, and I had Covid, no idea how. Antiviral immediately cleared up the cough.
I don't recall a cough after the second surgery, but 3 months later I had SBRT on a different lobe. Two months after that I developed a dry cough and increased shortness of breath. That was radiation-induced pneumonitis. Apart from multifocal cancer I also have pulmonary fibrosis in the right upper lung due to the radiation treatment and in the two lower lobes due to smoking (I quit 23 years ago) .
My suggestion is to track with doctor, test for other things like Covid, Flu, RSV. and look at CT scans which can show other issues with lungs that cause coughing