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To people who had pneumothorax surgery, How are you doing now? (slrpnk.net)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Just had my 2nd lung collapse almost a year after the first . The doctors are recommending me to get a VATS surgery but I'm not sure what to expect post surgery. I have an appointment tomorrow to finalize my decision and I could ask them but I also want to know the experiences of people who had it done.

Do you regret doing it?

Are there any persistent pain even years after the surgery?

Were you able to return to normal life after, like swimming, lifting weights etc?

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago

I’ve had VATS twice now. One in 2019 and one in 2021. Both were for a pleurodesis as the pneumothoraxes I experienced refused to self resolve. Zero regrets on both, but I didn’t have a choice, really.

Only pain I was left with is slight discomfort in my left upper chest region if I inhale too deeply while reaching up for things, and some nerve damage that results in a localized burning numbness that extends slightly into my armpit if I press above my right breast. Nerve damage came from the second.

I did have nerve damage from the first that left me numb in a candy bar shape right under my ribs on my left side for a year or so. The numb burning above my breast comes and goes in severity but the severe end has been weakened more and more with time.

I was able to return to normal life. Exercise isn’t an issue as long as I avoid over extending my arms upward. Basically no straining to reach stuff on my left side. I haven’t been swimming in many years, but I can imagine large, powerful strokes could cause me some discomfort.

Life is back to normal for me now, but I do have some anxiety that crops up with chest pains. The worst part of it all in my experience was the chest tubes.

Hope this helps.