If it’s helpful I had surgery end of May this year. I am 73 and live alone. I had a lobectomy of my left lower lobe. So more tissue loss than it sounds like you expect. My only initial issue was some drama around unexpected copious drainage from where chest tube had been. I couldn’t easily reach the area to change the bandage, so before I left the hospital, I insisted on a case mgr and a brief period of home health to change the bandage. They dropped by for a few days to do that and otherwise it was fine. I don’t do narcotics and have a high pain threshold so I didn’t need to worry about being unsteady on my feet. Yes it hurts the first few days but I’ve had worse 🙂

Good luck!!