Lung Wedge resection/open chest biopsy

[YorkieLover]

How painful it is to have the drainage tubes removed once the lung is clear?

How painful is the recovery period once the encapsulated fibroid is removed from the lung?

My doc tells me that I will be able to care for myself once I get home--is this reasonable?

People are scaring me to death (I am no longer listening to these insensitive and uncaring people) about my recovery pain and I decided to post here to try and get a better handle on my surgery and the post surgery recovery. My surgery is Sept 14th.

A needle biopsy nor a video cam can be done or used. My lung 'spot' is too small and so it must be done with an open chest. Thanks you for any info and/or rational spin you can put on my NOW ESCALATING FEARS about recovery.

[National Jewish]

If the biopsy is done with a small incision, the pain during your post surgery recovery should be minimal.  Also it is reasonable for you to be able to care for yourself at home.  Removal of the drainage tubes is brief and not that painful.  If the spot is too small for video cam surgery, it may be difficult to locate with open chest surgery.  You should ask your surgeon these same questions as well as the plan for locating your lung

[flash1950]

A related discussion, Cancer Surgery was started.

[geegee121]

A related discussion, lung surgery was started.

[md1johnson]

How did your surg go on the 14th? I hope you feel better. My prays were with you I meant to send a message sooner but the storms kept me busy. I have Pulmonary hypertension and on home 02. With a nickname of yorkielover you can't go wrong. I have a very small female yorkie 5 years old and she knows when I feel bad the best nurse I could have. God bless you.

[Sunny602]

Hi, I understand and feel your fear. I too had a lung biopsy, they did what they called a VATS procedure, using a video scope they wentinto my chest without having to cut it open with the exception of a few "bites" from the scopes. I did have a chest tube, yes it is uncomfortable but it isn't too bad to have removed, actually I felt a whole lot bettr once that tube was out. You said you were going to have an open biopsy, that does require a bit of recovery time and you should have help at home for awhile, it is a surgical incision and has to heal. Eventually however, you will heal and get back to your normal activities. The VATS procedure only kept me in the hospital for 3 days, I will admit that I was sore when I got home, but I healed quickly. I hope all goes well with you and that your biopsy results come out okay...Many hugs, Sunny