What to expect after your thoracic surgery

Fatigue is common after surgery. As you recover from the operation, this fatigue should improve, but realize that it may last for several weeks.

Appetite may not be normal, and food may not taste as it normally does for several weeks after surgery.

Diet should be resumed as it was before surgery. To heal properly, you need adequate nutrition. If you are not able to take enough calories for normal activities, you may take a nutritional supplement such as Boost or Ensure.

Pain is typically controlled with a narcotic pain reliever (e.g., Vicodin) as well as with an anti-inflammatory medicine (i.e. Ibuprofen). You should use the Ibuprofen regularly, and you will find that you gradually need less and less of the narcotic medication. If you are running out of the pain medications, call the office before you run out, and before the weekend, as we cannot refill prescriptions on the weekends.

Dressing over the chest tube site stay in place for 48 hours after the tube is removed. If there is leakage of fluid from the dressing, you can put more dressings on top, but the original should be left undisturbed.

Incisions are likely to be closed with a stitch in the skin that does not need to be removed. Some swelling around the incision is normal. The white paper tapes on your incision(s) will likely start to fall off in a week or two. All incisions should be kept clean and dry. You may notice some drainage from the chest tube site; this is normal. You can cover this site with a light dressing, if needed.

Showering after surgery is okay, but you should not bathe or go into a pool for two weeks after surgery

Activities are limited to doing nothing strenuous, and no lifting, pulling, or pushing more than 10-pounds ( the weight of a gallon of milk) for 4-6 weeks. You can ride in a car but you cannot drive while using the narcotic pain medication and until after your follow-up office visit. You should walk every day, working toward the goal of being able to walk nonstop for 20-30 minutes daily.

Call the office (248.551.0669) when you get home from the hospital to schedule a follow up appointment.

Call the office if you have:
• Fever higher than 101°
• Worsening pain or tenderness
• Shortness of breath worse than usual