Lobectomy Recovery: Time in the Hospital
Once you are in your regular hospital room, your family and friends will be able to visit with you as they did in the ICU or recovery room.
You will probably stay in the hospital for five to seven days after your surgery. However, it's possible that you might stay longer, depending on how your surgery went and how well your
lobectomy recovery is going. Your healthcare providers can regularly update you and your family about your recovery.
During this time, you may still be hooked up to the pleurovac. When your air leak has stopped, the pleurovac will be disconnected, and your chest tubes will be removed.
Remember that your healthcare providers want you to get better, without any problems. So be sure to tell them about anything that doesn't feel normal or that "just doesn't feel right." It's especially important to tell your healthcare providers if you are feeling short of breath. If you do, it may mean that a part of your lung has collapsed and you need additional treatment.
Lobectomy Recovery: Leaving the Hospital
When you leave the hospital, your healthcare team should give you specific instructions for taking care of yourself. These instructions should cover driving, activity level, medications, and other things to watch out for until you are completely well. Your healthcare team should also tell you about any symptoms that mean you need to come back to the hospital.
You'll need to have someone drive you home from the hospital.
The first follow-up visit with your doctor will be about two to three weeks after you leave the hospital.
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