What to expect following Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)?

I had Vats surgery twice this year at Colorado University. I had the left lingula removed then the second surgery a month later was for the r middle lobe. I had a quick recovery time so a biopsy should be a little easier. I was in the hospital 3 days for the r middle lobe and 2 for the left. After 4 days I was able to fly home. After one month I was almost pain free. Good luck to you.

Hi @dixer, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thanks for sharing your experience, I'm glad to hear you had a relatively easy recovery. I'm one of the community managers here and we're working to connect users with other people who have had a similar experience. I'd like to add your post to a more active thread - can you tell us a little more about why you needed the surgery?

I was diagnosed with Mac on and off with remission , bronchiectasis and<br />
last year with M abscessus/ Due to being on so many meds for so long , off<br />
then back on,the mac became resistant to many of the meds When my<br />
infectious disease Dr basically gave up on me, I turned to UF Shands in<br />
Gainesville. I was placed on Iv amikacin along with rifampin, ethambutol<br />
and azithromycin with a recommendation for surgery through National Jewish<br />
and Colorado University. I went for a few months on inhaled amikacin then<br />
had my left lingula removed in Feb of 2015. My r middle lobe removed on<br />
June 30th.<br />

@dixer Have you seen the active discussion thread about MAC?

Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC/MAI) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mycobacterium-avium-complex-pulmonary-disease-macmai/?pg=2

@katemn started it several years ago and keeps it going. Hope to see you over there.

Colleen
Connect Community Director

dIxer, this is katemn,
My heart absolutely goes out to you! PLEASE do check out the Connect link shown above by Colleen Young. I have found SO much good information on this discussion thread .. PLUS such nice supportive people! You absolutely will not be sorry if you read through the thread .. and then start writing. You will find a community of people who are in the same boat .. PLUS care about you.

For myself .. you will read that I was on 4 antibiotics for 30 months with two mycobacteriums .. including the M abscessus .. I also have Bronchiectasis plus Reactive Airway Disease .. and am waiting to hear if I have to go back on the antibiotics.. Not a pretty picture BUT i travel .. have fun in life and fully intend to live each day to the fullest! Attitude of gratitude .. many others have it so much worse!

Again, please do check out the link to the discussion .. it is a good one!

Hi Katem<br />
<br />
I have been going to the Team inspire website thru American lung. There two<br />
are numerous people with Mac. I have rec'd a lot of nfo from them. I too am<br />
much more fortunate then most. I never really felt ill. just very tired. I<br />
have never had any weight loss issues and when I went to National Jewish I<br />
felt like I didn't belong, the other patients were so thin and ill. Since<br />
the surgery, I have much more energy and can walk up to 3 miles. I am now<br />
awaiting the final results of my bronchoscopy of 11/30. Should be the end<br />
of this month. It is a slow growing bacteria so can take up to 8 weeks.<br />
Once I am clear have another year on these meds. I have been fortunate with<br />
them as many have side effects including vision loss and stomach issues. I<br />
did get some change in my hearing from the amikacen<br />
but I stopped it. That can also happen from ethambutol but can't stop that<br />
yet. Just continue to get hearing and eye exams.<br />
I almost feel guilty when I read some of these posts. when others are<br />
having such a difficult time. I truly believe though that mind over matter<br />
plays an important part which is why I healed so quickly from the surgery.<br />
f you have not tried the inspire web site, I really recommend it.<br />
Good luck to you in your travels<br />

Hello Dixer, I so agree with much of what you have said! I also am on the<br />
Inspire website. I feel "knowledge is power" so have sought out all the<br />
information I could find. Good for you that you have done the same! Keep<br />
up the positive attitude!<br />
* Katherine*<br />