You sound like me. I had VAT surgery right upper wedge end Dec 2021 -
I too had a slight cough which has gone away. I still have soreness if I take a deep breath. Glad to know it is not unusual. Minnesota winter also kept me from exercising, and I was afraid to go to the Mall for fear of Covid. I had already tested positive one month after surgery despite isolation. I wear a mask at Mall, and it is hard breathing with a mask. My oxygen level drops with exercise, and I need to keep it above 88 and N95 mask makes it harder. But SOB is better with exercise WE MUST EXERCISE!!!!!