Tighness and pressure post robotic lobectomy: Will this pass?

@cameron02492 , I’m glad you are doing better now. I’m a strong advocate for people making their own decisions about treatment, even when that means holding off. Hoping that you don’t have to face that decision.

I had my surgery on March 17. I went home with a new chest tube (#2) in place on 3/22 and had it in til I was readmitted with a bowel obstruction for another 5 days. I know the end result is great but I don't think I could do this again in if it came back.

@cameron02492, welcome to Mayo Connect. Of course you are scared, that's perfectly acceptable with what you've lived through. We tend to want to diminish our experiences, but any cancer diagnosis is life changing. Gratitude will come, it takes time, and it can sit alongside feeling scared too. You can feel both.
It's helpful to hear that the magnesium may be helping. How long ago was your surgery?

Glad to see your comment. I had a right lobectomy at the beginning of March and am also cancer free. The pressure feels like a belt tightening. There's also some hardness. It feels like it interferes with my breathing. Never thought I would see the day that I miss wearing a bra. I noticed it has been getting better and has been going down in size. I also have back pain on the right side-no relief from heat. My doctor says it's nerve pain. I started taking magnesium which seems to be helping. I know I'm lucky. I'm stage 1 and considered cancer free but I'm still scared. I had so many complications with 3 chest tubes and a chylothorax. I'm working on being grateful but it's hard.

@brendabern, welcome to Mayo Connect. This sounds so difficult to deal with, Ouch! Have you found anything that helps to stop the spasms? Has your doctor had any thoughts? Do you think a pain clinic visit might help?

Hi, I’m 4 weeks from rml lobectomy and I’m experiencing pressure, tightness and nerve pain under breast area too.
Very uncomfortable… I’m thinking positive that this too shall pass, hoping yours will too asap.

I’m nine months out from the surgery and have some pressure and tightness, no real pain. Better, but still there.

I am 2 years post VATS/RATS upper left lobectomy. CT scans are all perfect. However, I still have shooting pain around my left ribs when I sneeze (which is often, because I have allergies). It feels as if I have a broken rib, but X-rays show nothing. My surgeon has always been very cavalier about this, but my Exon 20 oncologist told me it is probably nerve damage, which is very common. Hugging a cushion helps, but one is often not within reach.

Man your post is exactly the same as my story. I’m 11 months post op and still have extreme pressure. I have spasms were my nerves go crazy starting at site and move through out my body. Scary at night I think I’m having stroke symptoms.

@yelenab, lung surgery is major surgery. Initially, you really need to give yourself permission to rest. When you can, you need to get back into exercising SLOWLY. Robotic surgery is so much less invasive that we feel we can go back to our old routine sooner than we actually can and that delays recovery.

One of my best friends is a physical therapist. He says trying to do too much too soon is common in middle age, and we've both done it! We need to show ourselves some grace and accept the fact that complete recovery from major surgery takes time.