How long does it take to recover from a Lobectomy?

[Darnate71]

Hello, my husband has to have his middle lung removed. It's not cancer. However there are masses growing causing blocked airways. The doctors are saying it would be 2 weeks of recovery time. I on the other hand do not believe that. They will be opening up the chest so I'm finding it hard to believe he will be feeling great and head back to work in 2 weeks. Especially When the hospital stay is suppose to be a 4 day stay. I need to plan financially if he is out of work for longer than 2 weeks. Any information you can share is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Debby1125]

I had my right middle lobe removed and my recovery was at least 6 weeks. However, not knowing how young your husband is he very well might jump right back up. I was in the hospital 6 days and was pretty miserable for 4-6 weeks. Each person is different in their recovery. Good luck to your husband and please let us know how he did, etc. Be sure when he gets home that he sleeps in a recliner or similar with pillows to make breathing easier.

Debby

[Darnate71 in reply to Debby1125]

Thank you for replying. My husband is 47 years old. In good shape, other than this issue. I thought it would be longer than 2 weeks to heal. I'm glad I posted this. Thanks again!

[FtB_Peggy]

Darnate, welcome to our community. Thank you for reaching out - you will certainly benefit from the wisdom of the folks here, they are a powerful group. Please keep us updated and please know that you are in our thoughts.

[JeanE41]

Welcome. I believe that 2 weeks is extremely optimistic. A lot depends on what your husband's work entails, the surgical technique used and his pain tolerance. My experience was 6 weeks before I was able to function, but I was 73 years old and in a lot of pain for most of that time. I would plan for more time off for him than 2 weeks. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. He is young and healthy and may heal quickly.

May the surgery and recovery go smoothly.

Jean

[Darnate71 in reply to JeanE41]

Thank you!

[Ruthie1950]

I find a 2 week turn around from surgery hard to believe as well. I do know a woman who is having hers removed but they are not opening the chest. She says it’s a new procedure but the recovery time is fast compared to the knife. Any type of surgery is quite a shock to the body and if he is going to be staying 4 days, it’s hard to imagine a 2 week recovery.

I pray he makes out very well and is feeling great. I also pray that God will give you strength and wisdom through this very trying time.

[Darnate71 in reply to Ruthie1950]

Thank you for your prayers. 😊

[katherineNED]

I had VAT surgery to remove my upper left lung lobe. VAT is supposed to be much easier on the body surgery than opening the chest. I was in the hospital for 3 days, felt miserable for almost 2 weeks and wasn't back to 'normal' for almost 6. I was 66 at the time and the surgeon told me it would be an 8 week recovery time and that's about what it took. Depending on what your husband does for a living and how healthy he is now he may be able to return to work however I was told no heavy lifting (over 10 pounds) or bending down and nothing physically exerting for at least 2 weeks. As one of the posters here mentioned, I would prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[Darnate71 in reply to katherineNED]

Thank you. It's nice to have the opportunity to get advice from people with experience in this situation.

[ckmartin]

I had part of my right lung removed in April of this year. First 2 weeks are the hardest I am a Bookkeeper and went back to work in 2 weeks part time and next week full time. I still have pain from the surgery but so glad to be alive. I am 72 years old had lung cancer and copd. Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[SisterofSurvivor in reply to ckmartin]

@Ckmartin-My sister is your age and just had the surgery today for lung cancer. She also has COPD. Will she have a harder time breathing? I have heard different experiences in this regard. However, from what I have read, the lung compensates for what was taken. Now we sit and wait to see if the lymp nodes are clear. I am hoping to get to the hospital tomorrow to see her. I'm a little scared to be honest.

[lespa]

I hope all is well with you.

[RRR737]

Can only say from my own experience. Had lower left lobe removed in 2015 and the middle right lobe in 2017. Each surgery itself kept me in the hospital for 4-5 days and I guess "Recovery" is relative to each individual. A few weeks to a month maybe to really feel better (although I was lucky - I went fishing on my second day out of the hospital both times). However, from the mouth of my surgeon, she stated for the trauma your body goes through and all the stuff involved with removing lobes that in actuality for them (the doctors) to declare a full recovery it is 6-9 months. Hope that helps. --- OH, I forgot. I was 63 for the first surgery and 65 for the second surgery - and I have other chronic conditions that play into things.