Pain after robotic assisted lobectomy: How long does it last?

I am due to have minimally invasive surgery in the 24th. I am having a segmentectomy of my left upper lung. Has anyone NOT taken the opioids after they get home and only taken 800mg ibuprofen? I ask because codein and those do not work on me and I’d rather stay off of that stuff. Is the pain the same if it’s a Lobectomy vs a Segmentectomy? How soon are you walking about? Any answers would be appreciated.
Thank you😀

I quit the opioids almost immediately as it made me throw up and groggy. The nurses thought I should continue to take them to 'stay ahead of the pain'. I told me I could endure the pain easier than how I felt after taking the opioids. My surgery was on left lower lung. I was up and walking very soon - the next day. Moving is extremely important. I had a nerve pain for several months but it was OK with Tylenol (I can't take ibuprofen). And the nerve pain gradually dissipated.

Hi. I had VAT lobectomy 2019 and a VAT wedge resection in 2021. I think your Segmentectomy takes more lung than wedge resection but less than a whole lobe.
Anyway, my lobectomy was overall a bit more painful. For both surgeries, the first day I was up and walking but very painful. Pain was less each day but then around day five, six, and seven it was worse and then improved gradually for the next many months. I was taking the max of Oxycodein, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen for the first few days and off the oxy in a week or so and off all pain meds in two weeks. Was back to most normal activities in 6 to 8 weeks. I still have a tiny bit of discomfort when taking a deep breath and some chest wall nerves are still tingly. Walk and exercise as much as your doctor allows and are able. I was too inactive for too long and had shortness of breath. In my opinion this had more to do with me being out of shape, than loss of lung function.
I hope this goes well for you and they can prescribe agreeable pain medications.
Good luck.

Thank you! I had a bi level neck fusion surgery in 2016 and stopped taking meds a couple days after getting home, so I’m hoping this will be about the same. Took 800 mg ibuprofen and was good with that. Yes still had nerve pain if I turned wrong or hit a bump when driving and had to wear the neck brace for about 3-4 months, including sleeping in it, so that is what I’m comparing this lung surgery to. I already planned on walking as soon as they let me. I KNOW that is always the best way to get healing. I’ve heard people are tired for weeks (exhausted) and I’m hoping that’s not the case. I’m always busy at home, like I don’t sit down, I know I will have to slow way down and not do some things for a while I’m just hoping it’s not a long drawn out process.

Thank you! I’m trying to have a very positive outlook for this, but I just keep reading about the pain afterward. I just keep thinking that I’ll just try to keep walking as much as permissible, and listen to my dancing music and have the sun shining in my windows to keep me motivated. I know they say to listen to soothing music that relaxes you and calms you , but I prefer the other. Thank you for the good thoughts, and I hope you are good now. Did you have any PT for the nerve pain?

All surgery zaps energy and certainly this is no exception. I don’t live near a Mayo Clinic and I had a complication that required me to stay in the hospital several extra days. Our trip home was about 6 hours (plane and car) and I was exhausted from it. I napped or at least rested each day for several weeks, but also took walks and did social things most days. I don’t know how old you are, but I was in my mid-70s when I had my lung cancer surgery. Respect your doctors and your body and you should do well

Thank you. I am 58 years young. I figured on probably a few naps during the day, but I do want to make sure I get up and walk a lot. It’s just good to read that most are saying they were doing pretty well afterward. I am doing lung exercises now, before I go in. I’m using a little breather called a lung expander, and have been walking briskly for at least a mile every night and running up and down a flight of stairs five times each day besides my regular up and down about 3-5 times for dog duty. Thank you again and I hope you continue to do well!

I commented here perhaps in December or January about the persistent pain I was having after a LUL lobectomy. It occurred daily at around 2 AM. Long story short, it disappeared. But since surgery I have had a bulge of sorts beneath my rib cage. It was totally numb and I was told this was normal. I should have asked more questions. Fast forward and it is not so numb but it is tender and so is the underlying rib?

Hi. I did not have any PT for the nerve pain.
Also, following the surgeries, the pain was very dependent on movement and sitting/laying position. Once I got into a comfortable spot, it wasn't bad. For me, getting in and out of bed was even a challenge due to the movement and incision pain. but after a couple weeks it wasn't an issue. And I dreaded anytime I had to cough or sneeze . Ouch!
Where are you located and which hospital will be doing your surgery?

Morning! I am in Arizona. Will be having everything done at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. I love that place! They have been wonderful with other surgeries that myself or family members have had there. I also have an adjustable bed so I think that will help to get me up to sitting position to get out of bed. I can’t imagine laying flat. I know I’ll be in pain, from what I’ve read on all the different posts in here, but I’m trying to get some ideas on what may help best. I even bought a set of those leg massagers that they use after surgeries to keep the blood circulating so you don’t get blood clots. I’m trying to be super prepared. Even have those prepared meal kits being delivered. Only for once a week for a month. Can’t afford more than that, but it will give my husband a break so he won’t get exhausted trying to go to work and take care of me and everything else.