Hi Cynthia, I was a smoker up to 2019. Kept quitting for years. Started using a vape pen (nicotine only), Had to quit that and did it a month before my surgery. Used the Patches. Those are the only things that actually worked for me. I had an Upper left segmentectomy (more than a wedge, less than a full lobectomy) in March of 2023. I stayed in the hospital 2 days, was up walking around the day after surgery, with my catheter, IV bag, and chest tube all attached. Walking is the most important thing you can do to get your muscles and lungs moving. They gave me a patch, everyday, in the hospital to make sure I could stay up on those. I walked around inside my house for a few days, then went outside and walked around our driveway a day or two and then up the driveway(its a steep incline) and about a block, then back and just kept pushing further and further. Slow and steady at first. Now I speed walk 1 1/2 miles every night after dinner,
I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up from surgery and was breathing on my own! Yes had oxygen but only for a day or 2 as my lung was having a little trouble expanding back up all the way. It did by the second day and they unhooked me from everything. The chest tube was uncomfortable. It kept hitting a nerve in my back which made my arm in extreme pain, but they didn’t know that until I figured it out by sleeping on the opposite side and putting a pillow under my left side. (Just some info in case that happens to you). The best pain relievers for me were the 500 mg Tylenol x2, an 800 mg Ibuprofen, and A Robaxin (muscle relaxer- not strong), and the walking. A little bit of depression about a week or so later but thats usually all the meds leaving your body and people not needing to visit or call as much. But be strong and have faith! I am now 61 and just got off a 7 day cruise and have been able to do everything I used to. Best of Luck! Yes also use a wedge pillow or recliner or adjustable bed. You do not want to lay flat as it makes it extremely painful on your incisions and muscles trying to get up or down from laying. I do still get pain under my breast area and bras don’t help that at all! Let us know how you are! God Bless you and keep you in His care!🙏❤️

@cynthia19591965

@cynthia19591965
Hi,
I smoked 30-ish years, quit almost 20 years ago !
Yes, I was in good health prior to surgery.
Due to other physical issues, I was not exercising as I had been for a bit, so I was not in what I would consider “ my best shape” … however, surgery went well, no issues.
Sending positive thoughts 😊