Patient Recovery Guide
Recovering from minimally invasive lung surgery
VATS & robotic-assisted resection
You have had a minimally invasive lung resection — either Video-Assisted (VATS) or Robotic-Assisted (RATS) surgery — in which Dr. Irshad removed a portion of lung tissue (wedge, segment, or lobe) through small incisions. Most patients stay in hospital 2–4 days. Instructions from Dr. Irshad’s team always take precedence.
Preparing for your surgery
6 or more weeks before surgery
- Stop smoking immediately — smoking significantly increases complications after lung surgery.
- Begin daily walking and light aerobic exercise to build stamina and lung function.
- Attend all pre-operative appointments and testing arranged by Dr. Irshad’s team.
2–4 weeks before surgery
- Stop blood thinners as specifically directed by Dr. Irshad’s team. Do NOT stop without guidance.
- Stop herbal supplements (fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, garlic tablets).
- Arrange 4–6 weeks of help at home for recovery.
- Fill all post-operative prescriptions.
The night before and day of surgery
- Nothing to eat after midnight. Clear fluids until 2 hours before arrival.
- Take only approved medications with a small sip of water.
- No jewelry, nail polish, or contact lenses.
- Confirm your driver and support person. Expect a hospital stay of 2–4 days.
Breathing exercises — every hour while awake
These exercises are the single most important thing you can do for your recovery.
- Deep breathing: inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, hold for 2–3 seconds, exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat 10 times.
- Incentive spirometer: use the device provided by the hospital every hour while awake. Breathe in slowly to raise the ball/piston as high as possible, hold 3 seconds, release slowly.
- Coughing: hold a pillow firmly against your chest, take a deep breath, and cough firmly. This clears secretions and prevents pneumonia. Do this 4–6 times per day.
Your recovery timeline
Enter your procedure date to highlight roughly where you are in your recovery. This is a general guide — your team’s instructions always come first.
Hospital (Days 1–4)
- Chest drain removed once drainage is minimal and the lung is re-expanded
- Pain is managed with a combination of oral and IV medications
- Breathing exercises with incentive spirometer every hour while awake
- Short walks in the corridor encouraged from Day 1
Week 1–2
- Rest at home; fatigue is significant — this is normal
- Continue breathing exercises hourly while awake
- Gentle walking around the house; gradually increase distance each day
- No lifting more than 2–3 kg; no driving for 2 weeks
- Incision care: keep dry for 5 days; steri-strips fall off on their own
Week 3–4
- Most patients return to light desk work
- Increasing energy levels; walk further each day
- No strenuous activity, gym, or heavy lifting
- Follow-up with Dr. Irshad to review pathology results and plan next steps
Week 6–8
- Full return to most normal activities and exercise
- If cancer was found: oncology referral is typically arranged at the Week 4 visit
- Pulmonary function gradually improves over 3–6 months
Restrictions & wound care
Activity restrictions
- No lifting over 5 kg for 6 weeks
- No driving for 2 weeks (or while on narcotic pain medication)
- No air travel for 6 weeks without medical clearance
- Swimming: avoid until incisions fully healed (6 weeks)
- Return to work varies by job type — discuss with Dr. Irshad
Wound care
- Keep incisions dry for the first 5 days
- Steri-strips or glue will fall off on their own — do not peel
- Pat dry after showering; no soaking in baths or pools
- A small amount of bruising around the incision is normal
- Numbness or tingling around the incision area may persist for months
Warning signs — when to seek care
Go to Emergency or call 911 if you experience:
- Increasing shortness of breath or oxygen requirement
- Fever above 38.5°C (101.3°F)
- Coughing up blood or large amounts of coloured phlegm
- Sudden sharp chest pain
- Redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge from incision sites
- Calf pain, leg swelling, or sudden worsening of breathlessness (possible blood clot)
Call our clinic at (905) 458-4520 if you have:
- Any non-urgent concern about your recovery — call the clinic before going to the Emergency Department
Common questions about recovery
How long is recovery after minimally invasive (VATS or robotic) lung surgery?
Expect a hospital stay of 2–4 days. Most patients return to light desk work in weeks 3–4 and make a full return to most normal activities and exercise by weeks 6–8. Pulmonary function continues to improve over 3–6 months.
When can I drive after lung surgery?
Do not drive for 2 weeks, or while you are taking narcotic pain medication.
When can I fly after lung surgery?
Avoid air travel for 6 weeks without medical clearance.
How much can I lift after lung surgery?
Do not lift more than 5 kg for 6 weeks. In the first 1–2 weeks keep it lighter, under 2–3 kg.
Why are breathing exercises so important after lung surgery?
Breathing exercises are the single most important thing you can do for your recovery. Use the incentive spirometer every hour while awake, do deep-breathing exercises, and cough while holding a pillow against your chest to clear secretions and prevent pneumonia.
When should I seek emergency care after lung surgery?
Go to Emergency or call 911 for increasing shortness of breath or oxygen requirement, a fever above 38.5°C, coughing up blood or large amounts of coloured phlegm, or sudden sharp chest pain.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Instructions given to you by Dr. Irshad’s team always take precedence. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department immediately. Published in compliance with the CPSO Advertising Standards Policy.
Questions about your recovery?
Dr. Kashif Irshad — Division of Thoracic Surgery, William Osler Health System, Brampton Civic Hospital. Tel: (905) 458-4520 · Fax: (905) 458-4080 · thoracic@williamoslerhs.ca
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