Pain after robotic assisted lobectomy: How long does it last?

I had similar issues. I had VAT surgery on right lung, but they did a wedge, and they did not need to remove entire lobe. 1) One of my incisions was longer to heal. 2) I had a shallow cough in the beginning and noticed in the fifth week that I had felt better the fourth week from surgery AND my cough had become congested. I then tested positive for Covid!!! They gave me anti-viral, and my cough immediately started to improve. My cough dried up and slowly went away. 3)I had nerve/rib pain for two months which is now gone, but I do have a soreness down the middle when I take a deep breathe 4) I got told to exercise and have started walking every day and it makes me feel better, my lungs seem clearer 5) I continue to have labored/shortness of breath, especially under exertion and wearing a mask. However, I have severe coronary artery blockage which may be responsible for my shortness of breath and am scheduled for procedure to measure and put stent. After which I intend to do something fun and be normal. I consider myself lucky that these things can be fixed.

Nothing was mentioned to me about PT. I am not having any problems with my left arm.

Thank you for your response. You may already have replied to this question, but did you need to undergo physical therapy......I am told that there may be a need for that with the left arm?

Good Morning,

My cancer was also in the left lower lobe, 18mm nodule. My surgery was 5 weeks ago today and I am doing well. I still have some pain but I think that is to be expected a while longer from what I have read. I have no shortness of breath and have returned to work. I have an office job so that makes it a little easier. My surgery was robotic assisted lobectomy and took about 3 hours and 45 minutes. I was in the hospital for 2 nights. I really didn’t feel ready to go home when they released me but have to admit once I got home, it was much better than being in the hospital.

Wishing you well!!

Patti

I have been diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer in left lower lobe, following results of a PET scan. I am to be scheduled for a lobectomy to the left lower lobe. I am wondering how long the surgery took, and how many days in the hospital. Also, I have been physically active most of my life and am also concerned that I may lose significant physical capacity. I appreciate any info from others who have undergone this surgery. It is considered curative, and I feel fortunate it was caught early.

Wow, that is a long while to still have pain. I am hoping this will fade over time.

Have a good day!

I had a robotic assisted lobe to my in September of 2019, it still causes me discomfort just below the left side of my rib cage from the removal of the chest tube…

Ask your surgeon.

Thanks so much for your reply. I definitely am trying to get exercise in, mostly walking at this point. To date, I haven’t felt shortness of breath but I really haven’t done much other than walk yet. So will know better about that once I get back to other activity that is more strenuous. Just going to try to be more patient with the pain as it really has only been 5 weeks. I am returning to work tomorrow (office job) so maybe, that will help keep my focus on something else.

Not sure what surgery you just had but wishing you a good recovery.

Patti, My lobectomy was the upper right and was a Video assisted (VATS) procedure and you said your surgery was robotic. With respect to trauma to the body and recovery, I do not know if one procedure differs from the other. And also wonder if one particular lobe removed is more or less traumatic than another. I do know that one of my three incisions was much larger than the other two and hurt for a much longer period of time. I did have a shallow cough for a couple months and coughing hurts. But overall, recovery and pain is a slow and gradual process. I don't believe I will ever be my old self. This is my new normal. After two years I still have a tiny bit of chest discomfort when taking in a real deep breath and the nerves around the incisions are still tingling and a bit oversensitive. (But those now are totally overshadowed by the surgery I had on Monday. )
I do think I should have exercised more and kept my heart in shape. After a year, I seemed to be short of breath. And yes, I had less lung capacity, but cardiac testing showed my heart was fine but was in need of a better exercise routine. Hope this helps and best wishes to your continued recovery. . Thanks