VATS approach for lung nodule surgery: How was your recovery? Pain?

I actually had a right lower lobectomy done via VATS almost 3 years ago. I was in hospital 1 night and never needed anything stronger than Tylenol after I got home. After a few days, I even stopped that. I also didn't need chemo nor radiation afterwards and (so far) NED

@kenhorse Thank you SO much! That certainly helps lessen my fear and answers the unknown.

Thats the thing about VATS. Small incisions are much less painful and you heal much faster. You'll do great. Oh, and I had my surgery at 69 YO

I had lung VAT wedge resection at AGE 80. I was driving my car one week later!
Sore yes, but I was off pain meds in two days. They do want you to cough and that is why you have pain meds. The nerves may take months to go back to normal. Like having a tight belt around chest.
I had another VAT for a different nodule at 82. No chemo and pathology can tell you exactly what it is!

@vic83 Thank you so much!

Hi marylb- I had a segmentectomy in March of 2023 via VATS surgery. I had to stay an extra night because the chest tube was giving me some issues and I needed a little more time for my lung to get back to fully inflated. Went home with Tramadol, Lyrica and Methocarbenol. (muscle relaxer) took the Teamadol for a few days, the Lyrica for about a week or so and the Muscle relaxer for a fee days. Mostly took 800 mg ibuprofen and that worked the best for pains. You have to go slow for a few weeks. But walking will be your best friend! Just as described, you will feel a tightness like a belt around your rib cage. It’s the nerve because it gets disturbed during surgery. No lifting anything over the weight of a gallon milk jug for a gee weeks. I did not need anything else. No other forms of treatment. Scans at 6 months for two years and now I’m on a one year scan schedule. My next one is in March of 2026. Still get twinges in the nerve but nothing needing medication, but bra’s still bother me. I am 61 now. Had it done at 59. I am a smaller frame person. Wishing you all the Best and May God bless you and keep you in his care!🙏

@cmcguire10 Thank you!

Hi, my situation was not exactly the same but I had a tumor discovered incidentally in my right middle lobe and PET scan showed some possible malignancy. I opted to go to Memorial Sloane Kettering for a biopsy. I’m so glad I did. Mine is not ground glass, but rather neuroendocrine. (carcinoid) tumor, with multiple nodules and smaller tumors scattered throughout my lungs. It is considered DIPNECH. Because of the malignancy, they did a robotic lobectomy and removed my right middle lobe. I was 74 years old at the time, two years ago. I was only in the hospital two nights, but it seems to depend on when they can remove the chest tube. Mine was removed the day after surgery and I was discharged the next day. The first few weeks, especially the recovery was a little rough, but I was able to get up and dressed every day, and go outside. I did need pain meds for a few weeks, but each week I could see improvement. Surprisingly, I do not notice any change in my oxygen level or breathing. I would say just make sure you go to someone who does this all day long every day. Best wishes to you, hope this helps. Sidenote, I do recommend you have someone stay with you for the first week or so if possible. You’re able to do things, but not everything is easy and while it’s good to move around and walk, etc., you don’t want to overdo

hi @marylb - surgery is always nerve wracking, but it's good they're able to treat the nodule surgically. my tip, especially at this time of year, is to ask that people entering your hospital room mask. the last thing you need is pneumonia/flu/COVID. you could also bring a smaller HEPA air filter for your room to help. best of luck with everything.

@mamajite Find an N95 that has a gasket to wear. It is easier to breathe.
I caught Covid four weeks after my first VAT surgery. I don't know how, because I isolated myself. Fortunately, I was fully vaccinated and just took the antiviral and was fine.
Better to be selective about the people you have around you!