Adenocarcinoma Robotic RLL Lobectomy: Does age affect outcome?

I just had my second VAT surgery three weeks ago and while the first time was a walk in the park, this time I have a lot of nerve pain. I noticed one of the three incisions is in a very different place, so incision placement may be part of the issue. I had shoulder/arm pain but that has gotten better. The nerve pain felt like a tight belt around my chest. I am now taking gabapentin (total 900mg/day) which has helped but I still have significant nerve pain - back and especially in the front. It hasn't improved in the last week. They said to continue with Ibuprofen and Tylenol (the first surgery they only gave me Tylenol, no Ibuprofen). I find that Ibuprofen does nothing, Tylenol maybe a little. Anyone else had to deal with nerve pain after VAT surgery? I just bought a cream with 4% Lidocaine so am trying that.

Its where (from what I understand) air from surgery or an air leak after surgery gets under your skin and until it is absorbed by your body it causes swelling and if you touch it sounds like tiny rice krispies under your skin.

Hi Lisa,
Its almost gone...it got way worse before it started getting better. Couldn't even see my collarbone. But yes its almost gone. Thank you for asking 🙂

What is crepitus.?

I hope you feel a little better each day! Has the crepitus gotten any better? Does your doc expect it to resolve soon?

From what I understand that sometimes happens after surgery, but make sure you let your Dr know at your check up. Glad you’re home! Good luck with your healing. You should feel better soon!
Cindy

Update, chest tube out and home recuperating. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with this. It really helped hearing your experiences and tips and tricks to make everything better. I'm cautiously optimistic about using minimal pain meds but so far so good. I do have quite a bit of crepitus though. Right side back, shoulder, back of neck, and back of upper right arm. Anyone have any experience with that?

Hello. I had a right lower lobectomy last June, robotic surgery. Left lower lung wedge resection in October, also robotic. I am 68 now. If you are in good general health you should well! Follow the post surgical protocol and walk. Best to you!

Yes Lisa, everyone has been so encouraging on here. Surely made my time before the surgery less stressful. Getting chest tube out tomorrow and fingers crossed I'll get to go home!

I had first VATs Dec 2021 with nerve pain. It took about 4 months to disappear.