Swelling after Lobectomy

[plk40atmc]

How much swelling is normal after a lobectomy? I had a lobectomy on Friday 4/13 and stitches removed on 4/16.  At that time they didn't think it was overly swollen, but I was expecting it to go down a little every day and it doesn't seem to be.  When should I start to notice a difference?

[2wheelermom]

I had a hemi-thyroidectomy about 8 weeks ago and have the exact same degree of swelling as when I left the hospital.  Some days are actually worse than others.  It's a disconcerting feeling - particularly when I have to swallow - I need to keep my head bent forward to do so with any degree of comfort.  The surgeon (with whom I have a 3-mo follow-up appt in May) said to apply heat and massage daily.  Nothing seems to be working - but at the same time, no one at the Dr's office seems to regard this as unusual, either.  I'm guessing it's just going to take time..(?)

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

It may take 2-3 weeks for swelling to go down, if it is increasing, let your surgeon know.