I am 8 weeks post right upper lobectomy using VATS and have leaked AGAIN. For the 4th time. OK, I know I'm whining. But when can I expect this to stop? It is so uncomfortable. Have any of you had this problem?
Carolyn
Carolyn,
Are you doing too much? I didn't have that problem at all, so I'm not sure what the issue is. :( I do think you need to call your surgeon and tell him/her. They can check and see if you are healing correctly. I would think 8 weeks post-op you shouldn't be having problems.
Hugs!
Lorie
I don't think I'm doing too much, but my body says I am. I spoke to my PA after the last leak. She said that my body was going to do what it was going to do and if the pain got too bad I could come have a chest tube inserted. Yuck!
I gave it 2 more weeks of being very quiet, then decided to undo the bows my son left hooked up on the Bowflex (I really wasn't thinking!). That is what did it this time.
Last time, I used the assist handle in my car to adjust my position. I puffed up like bubble wrap.
:( Carolyn
..whine on..
..keep talking..
..and, i'm sorry, if you need a tube, shrug, it's no great headache, and a dam' sight better than getting secondary infections from putrifying pus in the lung..
..errr, tasteless but accurate...sOOOOrrrryyyyy...
..oh and, you've just had major surgery, use common sense and take it easy, yahh ? i'm a year and a half on and if i use a spade all day it HURTS, all down the stitching...
..and i'm used to physical work, being a simple farmer 'n' all..
What is a leak? I had surgery on the 12 of August and I keep thinking that all the pain will go away soon but evey morning I wake up and I am still sore and hurting. I had a vats but I don't think it was necessarily the standard vats because I have two incisions and they are both pretty good sized as well as the punctures...
So if I have a leak will I know about it?
A leak is where air leaks out of your lung from the bronchial tubes that were cut and is trapped between the lung and the pleura at first. Mine escapes from the big incision into the skin. It's really uncomfortable, but doesn't involve fluid, just air. If it is a bigger leak, your skin will get puffy and sort of mushy above the leak. The air eventually is absorbed by your body with no harm.
The PA said the tube would only be for my comfort and the leak would eventually heal. I was in the hospital a few extra days because of leaking when I had the surgery. Dr. Rice said then that they all eventually heal.
I really will try again to be more careful. But I didn't plan on overdoing it this time when it comes to that.
dear, dear Carolyn,
I sure hope you start healing up real soon - that sounds horrible!!!
whine on, girlfriend - I'll be hear to listen and support
hugs
Pat
I had a full regular complete removal of my right lung and didn't have any of these problems.
So whine on -if you ask me!
They portray the VATS as so much better and I was never offered that procedure but you make me feel better about that.
I'm so sorry that you are going through this- I would be a basket case with it all.
Dear Carolyn,
I had two VATS surgeries and the first one was an upper right lobectomy and no leakage. Then the second one was 5 years later and that was a lower right wedge resection and I did have leakage. I was really surprised with that one. I was told to get big bandages and cover the area. I did that and the leakage stopped within a couple of days. I didn't do anything after that like lift anything over 10 lbs. I just followed the post care sheet and that was the only problem I had.
I was very surprised with this one because I did not have anything like this happen to me with my first surgery. The first surgery was more involved. I had no idea what was going on when I started to leak.
Good luck to you and just try and take it easy. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
God bless,
Linda
Thank you, Linda. Our leakage problem must be uncommon thankfully.
Did you bind yourself with the bandages or tape them over the area? I've thought about binding like they used to do with broken ribs, but I figure they stopped doing that for a reason.
I guess you are right. I'll go back to day 1 on the post care sheet and give it 6 more weeks of 10 lbs or less. On my last visit I was told I could do anything I felt I could do. I'm just going to have to feel like doing less, huh?:)
Thank you all!
you aren't whinning!!!! You have been through a life altering medical situation, and having a place to ask questions, complain, be excited &/or frustrated or for that matter scared out of you wits is what this place is all about. Non of us has been through the exactly same situation as the others, but we are all here for each other. We have some of the most wonderful people on here.
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