Your procedure,
your guide

Most patients stay 2–4 days after VATS or robotic lung resection. You will typically be up and walking the morning after surgery. Discharge depends on removal of your chest drain and adequate pain control on oral medications.

A small tube placed in your chest during surgery drains any fluid or air that accumulates. It usually comes out on day 1 or 2 once output is minimal. Its removal is brief and mildly uncomfortable.

Mild to moderate chest wall soreness and fatigue are expected for the first 2–3 weeks. Take your pain medication as prescribed — do not wait until pain is severe. Sharp pain with deep breathing that is not improving, or sudden worsening shortness of breath, should be reported to our clinic or emergency.

Most patients return to desk work within 3–4 weeks. Physical or manual labour typically requires 6–8 weeks. Dr. Irshad will give you a specific recommendation at your 4–6 week follow-up appointment.

Some shortness of breath with exertion is expected as your lung adjusts. Call 911 or go to Emergency if you have sudden severe breathlessness, new chest pain, or cough up blood. Call our clinic at (905) 458-4520 for any concern that is not an emergency.

Most patients stay 7–10 days in hospital after esophagectomy. You will have a jejunostomy feeding tube in place, and your diet is advanced very gradually under the team's supervision before you go home.

The jejunostomy tube delivers liquid nutrition directly into your small intestine while your esophagus heals. Most patients need it for 4–8 weeks after surgery, gradually transitioning to eating by mouth as healing progresses and swallowing improves.

You will begin with clear fluids, then full fluids, pureed foods, and eventually a soft diet over several weeks. Eating 6–8 small meals per day (rather than 3 large ones) is essential long-term to prevent dumping syndrome and to maintain your weight.

Dumping syndrome occurs when food moves too quickly into the small intestine, causing nausea, sweating, and cramps shortly after eating. Eating small portions slowly, avoiding sugary or high-carbohydrate foods, and not lying down after meals reduces the risk. It often improves with time.

Most patients require 8–12 weeks before returning to light work. Full recovery, including weight stabilisation and dietary normalisation, takes 3–6 months. Dr. Irshad will guide you at every follow-up appointment.

Most patients notice a dramatic reduction in hand and underarm sweating within hours of waking from surgery. The results are typically immediate and permanent.

Compensatory sweating is increased sweating in other areas of the body — the back, abdomen, or thighs — that occurs in some patients after sympathectomy. It is the most common long-term side effect. Dr. Irshad will discuss your individual risk before surgery.

This is usually a day surgery procedure. Most patients go home the same day and return to desk work within 3–5 days. Physical activity can resume within 1–2 weeks. Mild chest soreness for the first week is normal.

Yes, in the vast majority of cases. The nerve division is permanent. Rarely, sweating can partially return over many years. Results are considered permanent for most patients.

Mild chest soreness and fatigue are normal. Go to Emergency immediately if you develop sudden severe shortness of breath, as this may indicate a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) — a rare but possible complication.

Begin with liquids and soft foods for the first 2 weeks, then gradually reintroduce normal foods. Eat small, frequent meals and chew thoroughly. Avoid bread, tough meats, and large food portions until swallowing feels completely comfortable.

Mild difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is very common in the first 2–6 weeks as the repair heals and local swelling resolves. If you cannot swallow liquids, or if swallowing becomes extremely painful, call our clinic at (905) 458-4520.

Most patients feel significantly better by 3–4 weeks. Full recovery, including comfortable eating of all foods, typically takes 6–8 weeks.

Recurrence is possible but uncommon after laparoscopic repair. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding constipation, and not lifting heavy objects in early recovery reduces this risk.

Desk work can typically resume within 1–2 weeks. Exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least 6 weeks. Dr. Irshad will clear you for strenuous activity at your follow-up appointment.

You will spend 1–2 hours in recovery while the sedation wears off. A mild sore throat and hoarse voice are common and usually resolve within 24 hours. A mild cough is also normal.

Tissue samples are sent to pathology and results typically take 5–7 business days. Dr. Irshad's team will contact you once results are available and arrange a follow-up appointment to discuss findings and next steps.

Wait until your throat feels completely normal (usually 1–2 hours after the procedure) before eating or drinking, as the local anaesthetic can temporarily affect your swallowing reflex. After that, resume your normal diet.

You cannot drive for 24 hours after the procedure due to the sedation given. Please arrange a driver in advance — this is non-negotiable and applies even if you feel completely alert.

A mild sore throat for 24 hours is normal. Go to Emergency if you develop significant shortness of breath, chest pain, fever above 38.5°C, or cough up more than a small streak of blood.

Most patients notice an immediate and significant improvement in swallowing after Heller Myotomy. Swallowing continues to improve over the first few weeks as post-operative swelling settles completely.

Begin with a liquid diet for 1–2 weeks, then soft foods, then progress to a normal diet as tolerated. Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and sit upright during and for at least 30 minutes after meals. Avoid rushing while eating.

The myotomy weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, which can allow acid reflux in some patients. Dr. Irshad typically adds a partial fundoplication (anti-reflux wrap) at the same time to reduce this risk. Some patients still benefit from reflux medication long-term.

The myotomy is a permanent division of the muscle and does not reverse. However, some patients experience a gradual return of swallowing difficulty over many years and may require additional treatment such as dilation or re-do surgery.

Most patients return to desk work within 2–3 weeks. Physical or manual work requires 4–6 weeks. Dr. Irshad will give you a personalised timeline at your follow-up appointment.

The pectus bar is typically left in place for 3 years, after which it is removed in a shorter day surgery procedure. This allows the chest wall to fully remodel and hold its corrected position permanently.

The first 1–2 weeks involve significant pain, which is managed with a combination of oral pain medications. Do not wait until pain is severe before taking medication. Pain improves substantially by weeks 3–4, and most patients are comfortable by 6 weeks.

Most patients return to school or desk work within 3–4 weeks. Light walking is encouraged from week 1. Contact sports and strenuous physical activity are restricted for 6 months to protect the bar.

Contact sports, heavy lifting, and activities with a risk of direct chest impact are restricted for the first 6 months. Swimming and light aerobic exercise are generally permitted after 6–8 weeks. Dr. Irshad will give you specific guidance based on your age and activity level.

If you notice a visible change in the shape of your chest, new asymmetry, or a sudden worsening of discomfort in the chest wall, contact our clinic promptly at (905) 458-4520. Bar displacement is uncommon but requires prompt assessment.