A Patient's Guide to Lung Surgery

Thoracoscopy: Recovering in the Hospital

After surgery, you'll wake up in a recovery area. At first you'll probably feel groggy and thirsty. An intravenous (IV) line provides you with fluids and medications to relieve pain, and monitors keep track of your breathing and heartbeat.

To help keep your lungs clear and prevent inflammation, a respiratory therapist will teach you breathing exercises to do every hour or so. Depending on your condition, a nurse or therapist will help you get up and walk soon after your surgery to keep your blood moving and improve your healing.

The hospital stay after a thoracoscopy is generally 1 to 4 days. If you have chest tubes, you won't go home until they're removed.

> Next: Thoracoscopy: Recovering at Home