Had lobectomy 3 days ago: What's your post-op pain experience?

Posted by easmith @easmith, May 11 8:32am

Hi, I had a lobectomy (lower, right lobe and part of my upper right lobe) three days ago. I’m home now but experiencing a lot of pain. I talked to my doctors yesterday about the pain/medicine regimen. We’re switching things so that I’m in less pain, but I’m curious about others experiences post-lobectomy. I’m feeling really sad.

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denzie | @denzie | Sep 4 11:10am

Consider requesting a referral to a pain management doctor. Do ask about a nerve block.

daisydays | @daisydays | Sep 4 6:27pm

In reply to @inderb "I had lobectomy of left lung on July 27 2026. It was 1.9 cm nodule incidental..." + (show)

Hello @inderb
I’m sorry you ended up in the ER due to a reaction to medication. Having major surgery is challenging enough, to then have that experience must not have been easy.
I don’t have knowledge of side effects of gabapentin as I only took it while in the hospital, was sent home in 24 hours.
Yes, me too, day and night in a recliner, with pillows tucked in at my sides. I was able to lay down on opposite side in my bed at approximately 6 weeks…. Ahhhhhh 😊
Walking often helped with my pain too, I was glad !
Sending good thoughts for a smooth rest of your recovery.
🤗 Daisy

daisydays | @daisydays | Sep 4 6:37pm

In reply to @jessie1990 "Hi I'm 9 months post surgery I had 2 lobes removed from right lung in dec..." + (show)

Hi @jessie1990
I’m so sorry you are having pain when you breathe deeply. I can only imagine what you’ve been through having two lobes removed.
I’m sorry for your pain, I as well have pain when I touch my ribs. The numbness under my breast has slowly improved however. Hoping yours does too.
Positive thoughts are being sent your way.
Hugs 🤗 Daisy

daisydays | @daisydays | Sep 4 6:43pm

In reply to @donnademps "@inderb My lower rt lobectomy happened mid Feb.26. Follow-up shows metastases in majoriy of organs. However,..." + (show)

Hello @donnademps,
I’m sorry about your nerve pain continuing on, yes, must be beyond difficult.
Permanent Numbness too, I’m so very sorry.
Glad your side effects from the gabapentin eased.
You continue to be in my prayers and positive thoughts.
Hugs 🤗 Daisy

inderb | @inderb | Sep 5 3:52am

In reply to @donnademps "@inderb My lower rt lobectomy happened mid Feb.26. Follow-up shows metastases in majoriy of organs. However,..." + (show)

So sorry to hear about Metastatic condition. My prayers for your healing and recovery 🙏

inderb | @inderb | Sep 5 4:10am

Mine was all robotic, with four holes in the left rib cage ! Had my one month follow up appointment and all seems to be good! No chemotherapy or radiation. Recommend ct scan was in six months and follow up with thoracic surgeon, however we went aggressive and got appointment with the pulmonologist, PFT and CT scan on Dec 18, 2026 . Still to set up appointment with thoracic surgeon. I am riding the pain and chest tightness but trying not to start gabapentin, it will take away my freedom of driving around etc besides any side effects. Trying to return to my active life as much as before the surgery.
Nodule was seen at 1 cm in ct scan as incidental finding, in 2018 however report got buried ! I am thankful that it was Adenocarcinoma ( happens mostly to non smokers) and still in early stages. Got get the house tested for Radon !!

jessie1990 | @jessie1990 | Sep 15 2:20am

In reply to @daisydays "Hi @jessie1990 I’m so sorry you are having pain when you breathe deeply. I can only..." + (show)

@daisydays thank you hun wish you all the best 🫶❤️

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Sep 17 2:45pm

In reply to @inderb "Mine was all robotic, with four holes in the left rib cage ! Had my one..." + (show)

Hello @inderb, I'm glad that they found your adenocarcinoma early! Yay for no chemo and no radiation. You mentioned radon. Did you have your house tested? I also wonder if there was any biomarker testing completed on the tumor? It's not always completed for early-stage cancers. Many of us that don't seem to have risk factors but still develop lung cancer have developed one of the gene mutations that cause the cancer (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, etc).

inderb | @inderb | Sep 17 10:23pm

In reply to @lls8000 "Hello @inderb, I'm glad that they found your adenocarcinoma early! Yay for no chemo and no..." + (show)

Hello @lls8000 , thank you for your response! Yes university of Michigan do test the bio markers and it came positive for Lung, breast and prostate!! Mom had breast cancer, both sisters had but are ok. I still have to test the house for radon! But I believe it was the genetic factor for lung cancer. I am doing fairly well in my recovery and have started pulmonary therapy to get my lung capacity back. Will keep the site updated!!

chubby55 | @chubby55 | Sep 18 7:20am

In reply to @inderb "I had lobectomy of left lung on July 27 2026. It was 1.9 cm nodule incidental..." + (show)

@inderb Hi I had robotic right lower lobe resection... Early stage Adenomicarcinoma. I'm 14 months post op. Last 2 scans no spread or suspicious findings. Pain is something else had 12 months of pregablin no change in pain tride lidocaine
patches they won't stay on more than an hour I'm sweating a lot. Now seeking pain management with G. P each of us are different I hope you get sorted.. I have mild copd breathlessness but still here to tell story I'm grateful for that.

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