Bending over post lobectomy causes significant shortness of breath?

Yes it is very frustrating on top of a lobectomy itself and then having further issue of breathing difficulty while bending.
Surgeons always tell us the better shape we are going into a major surgery will only help with post recovery, however, from what I have learned is that it is perhaps more common with RUL removal.
In my case, as an athletic fit guy who is lean, it’s not helped at all, in fact it’s gotten worse over the last 3 years. But heh I’m still here. Getting use to it and more kneeling helps.
That said weight loss will never hurt as well.
Also, consider purchasing a spirometer to improve lung capacity. With daily use, it helps considerably (Voldyne 5000) from Amazon, but stay on it.
Virtually no different than what the professionals help you with.
That together with an exercise bike in front of the hockey game and you can feel the results.
All best!

When you've finished treatment ask about pulmonary rehab. It will give you strategies to prevent that shortness of breath.

I have recently been diagnosed with Adnocarcinoma of the upper right lung. I went to my PCP back in October 2024 because I was experiencing shortness of breath when I bent down to do anything. Not happy to hear that this will continue after surgery.

I have same problem. I had two VAT resections and radiation. Since the first resection, I have had issues bending over. When I am moving around at home and bending to pick up things I get winded fast. I think it is compression of diaphragm, I also have pulmonary fibrosis and my pulmonary function tests indicated moderate loss of function. Losi g belly fat would probably help.

I am 74, former smoker, pudgy, and almost 2 yrs post lower left lobectomy for a 1.5cm adenocarcinoma, no nodes.

From the moment I regained consciousness after surgery, I have had two complaints: persistent rib and/or intercostal inflammation & pain, and shortness of breath when I bend over - as in bending over to sponge a spill off the floor, or putting the dreaded fitted sheet on the mattress.

I don't know if it will ever resolve. But because the pulmonary function tests are normal when I am comfortably sitting upright in a chair, my unimaginative pulmonologist says it’s because I am overweight.

I don't think there's likely to be an answer that would trigger an action to stop it. So I'm just accepting it grudgingly.

I”m a 65 YO, 4 yrs post RUL lobectomy, 13 lymph nodes etc and chemo from stage 2B undiagnosed lung cancer and never smoker.
After first year of recovery I noticed loss of breath from bending over even for short periods of time but much more pronounced with longer periods while bending.
Yes it’s extremely annoying however I’m happy to be here.
Also experiencing shortness of breath when in longer type conversations and with limited physical activity but I guess those are the side effects of missing parts like this with aging.
I’m lucky to be in excellent physical condition with very good blood pressure and heart rate, but it is what it is.
Very interesting to read other survivor stories and how the individual challenges we face really aren’t that different.
All best!

That is a comforting thought! You do feel lazy napping and lying around , but now I will think of it as hard work healing! I am so sorry that you too are going "through" the cancers A-Z.... This is a lovely forum and I appreciate all the perspectives! Be well and thank you!

Hi, whahoo- My lung cancer goes back years, and for a lot of those years, I had muscle spasms right where my scar was. It takes a long time for the body to heal after chest surgery. And no matter what type of surgery it was, the topography of your chest wall was changed, and that's a biggy! I always found stretching exercises helpful and still do.

@pigeonhead , Sorry to hear that you've picked up another cancer. I'm not sure that the weight of that target ever really goes away, but hopefully it gets a little lighter over time. You are three weeks out from a major surgery. Make sure you give yourself time to recover. Hopefully your breath gets better as you heal.
I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and recently had surgery for breast cancer. I mentioned to a friend that I was enjoying being lazy, and she reminded me that healing is 'work', so I shouldn't think of it as being lazy. Now I tell others that I'm working as I'm laying around.
I'm glad that you found us, take care.

I had my right upper lobe removed a year and a half ago and still have minor pain issues.