Before surgery, Dr. Mikhail and his team will not only discuss details of the surgical procedure with a patient, but also the recovery process. Through a proper recovery plan, a patient will usually be able to return to his/her daily activities and personal care in an independent manner before heading home from the hospital. Dr. Mikhail and his team help each patient through his/her road of recovery. A patient typically stays in the hospital for 2 to 4 days.

Day Of Surgery

• Patients are asked not to eat or drink after midnight the day before the surgery.
• Patients who are on blood thinners will need to stop taking them as instructed by the doctor.
• Some additional labs may occur before the surgery.
• Patients will be moved to the ICU after surgery and will spend 1 to 2 days there.
• Patients may wake up with a breathing tube, but it is usually removed the day after surgery.
• Patients will have to perform breathing and coughing exercises every hour while they are awake.
• Patients will be hooked up to one (or more) IVs.
• Patients will have chest tubes near the incision.
• Patients will receive pain medication (as needed).
• Patients may need to have blood drawn post op.

Post Operation

• Patients and their families will learn how to work together to make personal care and daily activities happen such as bathing, and teeth brushing.
• The doctor will discuss your diet.
• Patients will be instructed to sit up as they eat to help with swallowing.
• The chest tube will be removed in a couple days.
• After the chest tube is removed, patients should wash the area with soap and water.
• Patients still need to do breathing and coughing exercises every hour to speed recovery.
• Patients should walk three to four times a day.

Home Care

• Patients are asked to be very active at home by walking 5 to 6 times per day.
• Patients should use their incentive spirometer at least 2 to 3 times per day.
• Patients will receive a prescription for pain medication. No driving can occur while on narcotics.
• Patients cannot lift anything heavier than 5 to 8 pounds for 2 weeks.
• Patients should try to stretch their arms over their head often.
• The chest tube dressing can be removed after day 1. Drainage from the site is normal, but if it continues and is producing a foul smell, the doctor should be notified.
• Showers can occur after the chest tube is removed. The incision can be cleaned with soap. It should be gently patted dry. Baths are not allowed for 2 weeks after surgery.

Concerns At Home

• To help with a frequent cough, patients can take Robitussin.
• If patients are experiencing pain/burning/numbness/tingling sensation to upper back, shoulder, under breast, and abdomen, they can add Motrin (600mg every eight hours) or Aleve (take as directed) to his/her pain medication.
• Patients may experience hypersensitivity of the skin, which is normal.
• Pain medication may cause constipation. If a bowel movement doesn’t occur at least every other day, patients can take Milk of Magnesia or a laxative.
• Patients should continue to be active to help recovery. However, tiredness is common post-op.