Lung surgery Bi-lobectomy

[Becky130777]

Hi everyone just to give you an update I went to see my consultant today who advised from the biopsy I had I have a benign tumour in my bronchial tube. As the blockage is now causing me to have infections. I was advised surgery is my best option. I was able to see the surgeon why I was at the hospital. He advised where it is and the cause of the blockage would mean a bi-lobectomy the middle and lower lobe of my right lung removing. Obviously quite a major operation and I am worried about recovery and how I will be after. Has anyone else had this surgery before and can share there own experience and recovery. Thank you

[JanetteR57]

Hi Becky, I had a large mass identified in my left upper lobe in Oct 2010 and surgery Dec 2010, diagnosed as adenocarcinoma in Jan 2011. I had open surgery which back then was the norm. Until then I didn't know that the lungs are different - the left lung which is smaller has 2 lobes so losing a lobe means losing half that lung's capacity and the right lung has 3 so your surgery will removed 2/3 of the right lung so 2/5 of your lung. I was in hospital for 6 days and was back at work and swimming 3 months later. I've enclosed a link to Roy Castle 'my lung surgery' booklet which my specialist thoracic surgery centre helped compile and I'm on the patient review panel. It's only recently been updated and answers many of the questions you're likely to have. Surgery in the UK now is mostly keyhole but sometimes open surgery required if too difficult to reach the tumours by keyhole. Preparing for surgery is recommended by improving your lung fitness if you can with walking or similar and vital to keep active as quickly as possible after surgery. My surgeon told me that recovery was up to me - if I increased activity the remaining lung would redevelop - a little like a balloon when you keep blowing it up - it increases in size but may be thinner - but if I was inactive, it would not develop properly - again like a balloon so sitting/lying around long term not good. I went onto swim much much further than I ever had before surgery and was already swimming 130 lengths 3-4 times a week before. good luck with your treatment. read the whole page then download the booklet which hopefully will help. roycastle.org/about-lung-ca...

[Becky130777 in reply to JanetteR57]

Hello Janette many thanks for your reply and positive experience. To be honest I felt in shock when I left the hospital, so it’s just good to hear about other people experiences of surgery.

[Rutheg]

Hi I had mid and lower lobes removed in 2013, this was followed by chemo and radiotherapy. I was off work for 12 months. I have been fine since only side effect is get breathless walking up hill. Surgery was a bit gruelling was in hospital for about 5 days. Hope everything goes well for you.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

HI Becky

Sorry to hear you are due lung surgery, but great to hear that the biopsy result was benign. JanetteR57 has provided great information and links to our booklet.

Although you do not have cancer if you wish to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team