chest congestion / phlegm post surgery - normal?

[phdizzle 43]

Surgery was yesterday but in last 24 hours or so I've been getting a congested throat / behind the nose / chest.

I probably spit phlegm 4-5 times. Mostly clear, but some darker. No fever.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[AGNP 9]

This may be airway irritation from being intubated. Keep drinking fluids and if you were sent home with an incentive spirometer (a plasitc apparatus that you do deep inhalation exercise on) use it every hour to loosen up any other secretions and get junk out of the lungs

[Maddysgram 6,159]

You get a lot of congestion from the tube. I had a to keep blowing my nose for a week afterwards.

If you have a spirometer be sure to use it. I did until all congestion was gone.

If it gets worse or you develop chest pain with congestion call your Dr right away. There's a chance of gettting what they call surgical pneumonia. Hence the spirometer.

[phdizzle 43]

Thanks all!