Has anyone had a lobectomy?

[Whatswrong]

How was it and how was the recovery?

I'm new here and have a long-term undiagnosed lung abscess that hasn't responded to any treatments. It isn't cancerous (thank goodness!), but all the tests and procedures I have taken have come back negative. My consultant has advised me that, as there is little left for them to try, I need to get myself ready for the potential of surgery to remove the abscess, as it is calcifying and slowly increasing in size.

I am petrified of the thought of losing half my lung. Will it hurt and for how long? Will I be able to recover enough to be active? I have boisterous kids that love playing football and rugby with their daddy. Will I be able to do things like that? I would really appreciate any advice or feedback from anyone that has experience of this.

Thank you

Gary

[Crafty13]

Hello,

I had a lobectomy done in Nov, 2010 due to lung cancer. It did take maybe six to eight weeks to recover and one month of radiation. That may not apply because you do not have cancer. The most difficult part was rotating my right arm because that was the side where the lobectomy was done and my shoulder was sore. They went in through my back. So the incision was under my shoulder blade.

I able to reach to clean the tub for awhile. Maybe because of short arms (smile). No rotating your shoulder may be a little difficult for a minute. You will be restricted from driving for a short period of time but not long. But overall, I have to admit I remember shoveling snow in March the follow year and I am a female. I wouldn't advise because men have a tendency to take things to an extreme (A mans thing). I'm just a 4"11 and 115 pound female so you know I didn't shovel as much.

The situation is different when the incision is in your back opposed to your legs and arms. You snap back quicker and don't feel the lost of what happened as much. You will need assistance for the first four weeks because you will be medicated but you will be fine. Follow the rules and don't medicate too often if possible so you can tell when you are and are not in pain. Otherwise you will hurt yourself thinking you are fine when in fact you are medicated and not as good as you may think. I hope this helps. My prayers are with you.

[Ergendl]

My 83 year old trumpeter friend had an upper right lobectomy last summer. He needed support for the first couple of weeks after a week in hospital. Two months later he was back playing trumpet in our band. We can't now tell the difference to him, except he is a bit wheezier at times. He had a small asbestos-related tumour taken out and chose to wait 3 months to see if anything else appears before considering chemo.

[Alfiebax2]

Hi I had an upper left lobectomy in october 2018 . I recovered very quickly and the pain is monitored and you have a self administered morphine drip .It changed my life a d at 72 I wish I had it done sooner . I wish you luck and a better future

Best wishes Babs xx

[Sgt_Pepper]

Yes, I had an upper right lobectomy about 18 years ago due to a small tumour which developed from nothing quite rapidly, so I was actually very lucky that it was spotted before it got out of hand. I can't say that it was the most pleasant experience I have ever gone through but it only took about six weeks before I started to recover. My biggest problem to start with was an inability to lay down and breathe at the same time, which made sleeping difficult so I purchased a back rest which helped a lot. I don't recall suffering too much pain but there was a fair bit of discomfort for a while. About six weeks in I ventured out for a very short walk (I live on a hill which did not help) and then each day I did it again trying to increase by a few steps each time. My wife drive me down to a flatter part of the town and I gradually built up a slightly longer walking pattern until I could eventually manage about 400 metres before I eventually returned to work.

I was monitored closely for a year followed by a another four year follow up before being declared free of cancer - a great day!

Incredibly the lung tissue expands to fill the newly available space created in your chest. I have suffered from fairly extreme breathlessness ever since the surgery which the hospital told me was nothing to do with the surgery and my GP said "Well, they would say that wouldn't they?"

I know I have COPD so my breathing is not great anyway, but I still find it difficult to believe that having a significant amount of lung tissue removed does not have some adverse effect on my breathing. If you smoke - STOP NOW - and aim to do plenty of exercise. When you think of the possible alternatives if you don't have the surgery you will reach the conclusion that however unpleasant it is, it is the best way forward!

Good luck and stay positive.

[zube-UK]

Yes I had a left lung lobectomy when I was 23, for bronchiectasis. It improved my lung condition but you do need to rest and recover after it.

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Gary

I had a left lower lobectomy when I was 15 in 1963 (it was flavour of the month then for diffuse bronchiectasis) and not done for this condition now unless localised. It was a big ordeal in those days and pre and post surgery was lengthy.

I have heard from many folks who have had this surgery more recently and the treatment they had was laproscopicaly and both surgery and recovery time have been much improved. They have all done really well.

Every good wish for a very successful outcome.

Love cx

[Whatswrong]

Thank you to everyone that has replied. I take heart form the fact that you have all given a good account for the recovery.

My consultant has just referred my case to another hospital's respiratory department for a second opinion, and there is the possibility of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine if they still cannot work out what is wrong with me. I only want to have the surgery if there is no other alternative treatment available. As they currently don't even know what it wrong with me, I do not want to lose half a lung if I can possibly avoid it!

G.