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How was your pain after a lobectomy?
Lung Cancer | Last Active: 12 hours ago | Replies (36)Comment receiving replies
Hi @yts5361
Your experience with pain is what I'm afraid of, actually worse than my fears because in my worst-case-imaginings the really bad pain doesn't go on for more than a day, two days tops. I'm sorry you had to experience this nightmare and I really hope I don't have to deal anything like that.
Did you have the VATS surgery with the three small incisions or did they do a long incision on your back? My understanding is that if they can do the VATS, they don't have to move your ribs. My mother had a thoracotomy over 30 years ago and it did involve her ribs and I do remember a long and painful recovery for her. (She did live another 20 years though!)
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Hi,
Because of where the nodules were, he had explained it would be a small incision to reach and biopsy them.
If cancer was found, he would make a larger incision and spread two ribs.
As he explained it, it was like getting punched in the ribs but that in one to two days, I would be fine.
The incision was 20cm plus the ports for the chest tubes. But was told I would have one and it would only be left in for 48 hrs once the drainage stopped.
When I was discharged, his associate surgeon said I would still have some drainage but it would subside, it did three days later, hence I was sent home on oxygen and still require it when I walk more than 10 mins. I’m used to running and or walking 3-5 miles a day so o be this incapacitated is again something I never thought about.
I’ve read different experiences, this is mine. So far I have seen 6 doctors because of the after effects of the surgery.
Each ask the same question: why was I not told I had fractured 4 ribs two that were spread and one above and below the two causing pain that I wouldn’t even wish on my ex husband.
Please research and if the surgeon is vague about pain, aftercare etc explain, your not a surgeon who has done this many times, your a person who is putting your trust in their hands for the best outcome.
Take care