thoracoscopic lung biopsy (VATS)

[MikeJM]

Anyone out there have experience with VATs? Just curious how the procedure went and how recovery went. I have read that it's pretty safe and minimally invasive, but I'd love to hear your experience. How long it took, how long was your recovery, did you have any issues afterwards, etc.

[Annie31]

Unfortunately I had heard of a couple of less welcome outcomes from this procedure so was rather reluctant to go ahead with it. However I had a wonderful consultant surgeon who went to great lengths to allay my fears and assure me that keyhole surgery was much less invasive with less risk. I had my procedure three years ago and it takes 2-3 hours under a general. I also had a pleurex drainage tube inserted at the same time. All went as expected and I was in hospital less than a week. I was on minimal pain relief afterwards, on morphine post up to start with which was withdrawn before 24 hours were up as violently sick on it. I took paracetamol because they made me but didn't need it and that only lasted a couple of days. No post up problems, then or since. All the best and I would say nothing to worry about.

[MikeJM in reply to Annie31]

That’s very informative thank you! How long do you feel it took to where you were fully recovered from it? I’ve only had one other surgery which was hiatal hernia. That was at least 3 weeks before I felt good getting around. It was 8 weeks before I could lift more that 10 lbs. Do you think it’s less invasive or at least less recovery time than a hiatal hernia surgery?

[Annie31 in reply to MikeJM]

Well Mike as I have never had hiatel hernia surgery I can't answer that for you I'm afraid. What I can and will say is that my VATS procedure was more of a confirming nature rather than investigative, so proceeding with some treatment to help my condition proved to be the most positive step forward after the operation. I was indeed a lot more comfortable afterwards than I had been for many weeks, so I think that considerably helped my recovery. I was in a weakened state already and I can tell you that I walked and dId exercise in the hospital which I hadn't done for months! This all happened shortly before the pandemic and so my recovery got caught up with shielding and lockdowns. I used to have a community nurse visit me every few days and I know the lockdown and restrictions did far more harm than good as it did to many folk on healthunlocked so it is difficult to equate this experience with anything else for me! I'm sure you will have your own recovery experience but just take it easy and don't push yourself excessively and you will get there!

[Jojoclown]

Hi Mike

I have had VATS top Left Lung operation in April 2021. I was having key hole surgery which at the end had two pipes in my side one to drain blood and other to stop lung collapsing and keep air pockets out. I was in hospital 3nights and out for weekend. My husband said I was in theatre for 10 and half hours in all about 6 hours in op then rest of hours of nurses bringing you back to some normal. I was hurting for 4 months constantly by 5th month able to light housework and slowly but surely you pains start to feel better and scars look better. I'm in 6 months now still numb nerves on my side but up and about waking good and driving good. It's very hard at first but just keep the will power in you and you will get to the other side no problem. Good look Mike write to me if your struggling after your operation. My thoughts are with. God bless. Take care. Xx