You will be asked to come in for follow-up in the Thoracic Surgery outpatient clinic.
When you return home:
- take the pain medications prescribed by your surgeon on a regular basis. If they are not enough to control the pain, contact your doctor.
- gradually resume physical activity.
It is possible that you will spit a little blood for two or three weeks after the operation. This is not worrisome.
Lung resection decreases your physical abilities. It will take three to six months after the operation to recover 100% of your remaining physical abilities.
Signs to watch out for
Call your surgeon if you experience any of the following:
- sudden difficulty breathing
- drainage from the scar
- severe pain
- fever that is higher than 38 degrees C.