Connect
Post VATS surgery
My husband had VATS surgery almost 3 weeks ago and still in a lot of pain. Has anyone had this procedure done and how long did it take for pain to go away?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.
Connect
It’s definitely a lot to go through but VATS definitely helps to reduce a lot of aftermath pain. The treatment is different for everyone, some people are up and about very quickly and others have ongoing pain for weeks, I think it depends on your age and possibly tolerance to pain. When I had my first VATS for upper left lobe I was 69, the problem I experienced was that my lung took 4 weeks to heal so I was sent home with the tube inside my chest and 80 percent of my pain was due to this setback, after 4 weeks it was finally removed and I felt so much better, I still had some discomfort from the surgery but perhaps I was more tolerant due to the previous pain from the tube. The discomfort will eventually get better soon and Tylenol or Advil can offer some relief.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@deneane1186, Welcome to Mayo Connect.
There are many people here who had VATS (Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery). Some experience more pain than others. Has his doctor provided any feedback on the level of pain and if it is expected? Did the pathology confirm cancer? How are YOU doing?
Here's a link to some additional discussions related to VATS and pain:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-cancer/