What to Expect the Day of Lung Surgery

You will be required to arrive at the hospital at least two hours before your scheduled surgery time. There are many things you and the nursing staff will have to do to get you ready for surgery. There is also a bit of paperwork to be filled out. Hopefully at the pre anesthesia testing appointment you have already had your labs drawn and been given a map with instructions on where to park and which part of the hospital to arrive for surgery. Hospitals can be very confusing places so familiarity with where to go can make your big day smoother. Expect to wait a little bit even if you are early or on time. Being a little early can help ensure the staff have adequate time to get you prepared.

After getting checked in with the nurse the anesthesiologist will come to meet you. They will discuss your health history and any prior surgeries or difficulties with surgery you may have had in the past. Do not hesitate to bring up any concerns especially with reactions to anesthesia or antibiotics. Your surgeon will also sign your consent, mark the proper side of your chest for the surgery and ask if you have any last minute questions.

In the operating room you will move over to the operating room table which is a cold and narrow bed. The anesthesiologist will put you to sleep. An arterial line will be inserted in your wrist before you go to sleep to instantaneously monitor your blood pressure throughout the operation.

There will be many people in the operating room, but don’t be alarmed. They are all there to help your surgeon and make sure you have a successful operation. Some of the people required for lung surgery are: the thoracic surgeon (who performs the actual surgery), a first assistant (who will help your surgeon), two nurses (who help provide needed supplies and ensure safety), an anesthesiologist (who will keep you asleep during the procedure and monitor your vital signs).

There are several different types of lung surgeries and there may be variations depending on the particular surgery you are having. When you wake up you can expect to be in the recovery room with the endotracheal tube out of your throat (in most cases). You can expect your throat to be somewhat sore.

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https://ctsurgerypatients.org/before-during-and-after-surgery/day-of-lung-cancer-surgery