After Lobectomy/Thoracotomy and Saline solution for inhaling

Posted by amn17 @amn17, Dec 12, 2018

HI everyone, I recently had Thoractomy (open surgery) and I'm wondering if anyone here had the same operation on their lungs here? If so I'd like to hear about your experience and any information in this regard. How long your full recovery was? etc. Again Not VATS but open surgery/thoracotomy.
I am experiencing lot of pain after surgery and recovery is been very tough. I need to cough up and bring mucus but it's hard to cough with incision and when I was in hospital I inhaled saline through a mask which helped a lot to bring up stuff and also easier to breathe after. Please let me know If I have to purchse the solution by itself or can i but it with the mask? I have a nebulizer and wondering If I can just but the solution and use it.
Also does any saline solution work or has to be specifically for inhaling? Thank you!

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angiejohnson | @angiejohnson | Mar 7, 2019

In reply to @ethanmcconkey "Hi @angiejohnson. You may have noticed I moved your post to this existing discussion on lobectomies..." + (show)

@ethanmcconkey My Pulmonologist recommended lobectomy in October 2018 after viewing my CT. My disease is very focalized in the right middle lobe and I have some bronchiectasis there as well. The surgeon recommended me treat the MAC for 3-4 months prior to the surgery. I now have a follow up with the surgeon on March 18. I am beginning to freak out about it!