@onestepatatime- Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I know how you must feel and I'm here to walk you through this. Operations are very scary, to begin with, but having plans for your recuperation are as important and will ease your mind. When you first wake up the nurse will have to remove the hose that was attached to your incubator. You might sleep through it. Your first breath will be difficult because a machine was breathing for you. Don't panic. It will take a few days for it to become easier. You will be given some exercises and it's important to do them, even if it's hard, to help prevent pneumonia.

Laparoscopic surgery is much easier on your body than the open chest surgery that I had for my 2 lobectomies. Aftercare and recuperation are very similar though. You might have pain and need pain pills, so don't plan on driving for a while as your reaction time won't be up to par. It takes a few days for anesthesia to wear off. And you will be tired, very tired. You should be able to shower and dress by yourself. I think that your idea of checking into a rehab center for a week or so is brilliant. They'll be able to get you back on your feet and give you stretching exercises to help.

You have the right to have clear, concise answers from your doctor. If you still have questions make sure to write them down and call his office and get answers.

Despite the type of instruments that will be used on you removing a lobe of your lung changes the geography of your chest and you will be pretty much mending for a while.

Can I help with any other questions? What kind of lung cancer do you have?