Robotic Lobectomy: What can I expect? What is recovery like?

Welcome @sjones55, it sounds like things are moving very quickly for you: diagnosed 2 weeks ago and surgery coming up this Friday. Let me bring in a few members into this discussion, like @merpreb @stanleykent @redman4466 @marshall8318 @onestepatatime @pat3017a @marylou705 @carlies @ta52 @speedy @vic83. Some of them have had robotically assisted lobectomies and all know what it is like to be diagnosed with lung cancer. They can help describe what to expect preparing for surgery and recovery.

While we wait for others to join the discussion, you may also be interested in this related conversation:
- Lobectomy scheduled—What kind of home help will I need? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lobectomy-scheduled-what-kind-of-home-help-will-i-need/

SJones, you mention that you've had 7 surgeries in the past 5 years. I assume that these were not related to lung cancer. How was your recovery from these other surgeries? What considerations were necessary given that you also have diabetes?

@sjones55 Moving quickly is not a bad thing since it helps keep your mind busy. I had robotic surgery last August and the best advice I can give you is also the simplest: do what the doctors tell you and ask a lot of questions. Remember, you are the star of the show. I can't imagine the recovery from the type of surgery I had prior to robotics. I have a few tiny dots (they look like the aftermath of a mosquito bite!) and that's it. I didn't even have any bandages. One last piece of advice: this is a time when the internet can be a wonderful asset. You've found Mayo Clinic and that is a great first step. But research all those unfamiliar terms and find answers at reputable place like Mayo. In a few months you will know so much more than you do right now and, trust me, the pieces will all fall into place. Never be afraid to ask a question.

Good morning and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'll second what Colleen said, things look like they are moving along very quickly for you. When I got home I could walk, talk and shower. I was very very tired and needed to nap a lot. Not to be boring but everyone is different so it depends on the extent of your surgery how much care you will need post-recovery. I've had two lobectomies, one including robotics, and recovery was much easier.

During surgery chances are your pain will be controlled by something called TEA: Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is considered to be the gold standard technique in pain management, usually recommended to be the first line after thoracic surgery. It provides better pain relief than opioid PCA treatment and permits a faster recovery. After that is removed then you will have to talk with your surgeon regarding pain control.

Some people don't need pain control after they are released from the hospital. Can you explain to me what you mean by pain meds don't work well for you? For your 7 prior surgeries was this also a problem?

@sjones55 Like you I am a never smoker and diagnosed with NSCLC IIIA at 45. If they have not started the genetic mapping you will want to ask for that. Never smokers are more likely to have a mutation in their tumor. I have the EGFR Exon 19 mutation and a PDL1 expression.
I had the lower lobe of my right lung removed April 2020 at Mayo. I ended up having thoracotomy (open chest) through my back so I’m confident your recovery will be much smoother than mine. I also do not do well with pain medication but told them that ahead of time and they gave me anti nausea medication. Since you have been through surgery in the past I’m sure you have found you are tougher than you think. In a few weeks you will be well on the road to recovery and this surgery will soon be behind you! Hope all goes well and let me know if I can answer anything specific for you.
Juliette

Hi, Colleen. In March 2017, I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left wrist and 2 weeks later on the right. A month later I had left hip replacement when the hip joint completely collapsed. 4 months after that I had surgery to repair a torn meniscus. In late August 2019 - right knee replacement followed by revision surgery in early September. In November 2020, right hip replacement. So, none related to lung cancer. Recoveries were tough. I have fibromyalgia, so any trauma to the body requires a longer recuperation time. Both hip replacements and the knee replacement left me with nerve damage, so I must have regular nerve blocks at a pain center and I have a plethora of spinal problems and am considering a spinal cord stimulator for the nerve impingement in my lower back causing pain in the back and down both legs - also had neck surgery scheduled for March 2 because of dangerously severe stenosis, but the neurosurgeon postponed it when the cancer was discovered. As for diabetes, I take Ozempic shots weekly and other than the normal diet restrictions, the doctors haven't really done anything differently as long as the blood sugar reading is below their tolerated limits before the surgery. But because of all the bone, spine, and joint problems that I have, exercise is limited and most time is spent off my feet, so the fact that I've become so unfit and weakened is concerning facing a major surgery. Thanks so much for making contact, Colleen. I will check out the link you mentioned and will look forward to hearing from the other folks you spoke of, too. Blessings!

Thanks, Tom! Did you have a chest tube? Some sites mention that, but my doctor hasn't said anything about it.

Hi, Merry. I was immune to novocaine as a child and that seems to run in my family, as my dad and sister had the same issue. Pain medication just work well - barely takes 'the edge off' - and the side effects are so brutal. So, yes, the lack of pain control makes recovery more difficult, for the first few days especially. Blessings!

Thanks so much, Juliette! I am pretty tough, and it sounds as if you are, too! Blessings!

My robotic surgery was in my small intestine so I didn't have a chest tube I had something called an NG tube - nasogastric tube. Dealing with that was more difficult than the surgery! That was in for two days but once it was removed I was ready to go home and get back to life. No infections, no skin issues and the only pain I had was handled with Extra Strength Tylenol.

I'm sorry that I forgot to mention this- no small thing to forget, eh? Sorry. I did have chest tubes and my upper left lobectomy had special nurses who did this with breathing exercises and actually pressing around the tube with their palms. I hardly felt a thing. I was incredible. My first one wasn't. As you know operations are complicated and pain is a very common side effect. I've read your posts and can imagine your apprehension. I hope that since your surgeon and other doctors are informed of your history they will do everything to help you be as comfortable as possible. If I were you I would make sure that your surgeon is up-to-date with all of this so he can talk all of this over with your anesthesiologist. Make sure that they understand your fears. I'm sure that you are on top of this, right?