Partially collapsed lung

[LynneB 0]

Well, 1 week post op check went really well. Incisions healing really fast, Dr was surprised. Did find out that pain in my left ribs when I breathe is from a partially collapsed left lung. Nothing I can do about it except force myself to take deep breaths thru the pain to force my lung to re-inflate itself. Dr gave me a respiratory spirometer to use & that does seem to help even though it hurts like hell. But good news was no pneumonia or blood clot. I have also lost 6 more lbs!! YAYYYY!!!!!!

[SuzanneG 1]

That's awful, how did your lung collapse? Was it a result of the surgery?

Congrats on the 6 pounds! Glad you're hanging in there.

[LynneB 0]

Yes it was from the surgery. Dr said its something that happens sometimes & nothing to be alarmed about. He just said someone should have told me to begin breathing in very deeply immediately after surgery to prevent it. He said to take in very slow deep breaths and count to 30 while I am sucking in as much air as I can, hold it, and then exhale slowly. Do it as many times as possible or until I get lightheaded or the pain is intolerable. Repeat as many times per hour as possible. Should take a couple weeks to heal. Small price to pay since I have had zero gas pains, and just minimal muscular and incision soreness. Nothing like I had prepared myself for. I have had it pretty easy right from the start. No trouble getting in Protein or creamy Soups either. Overall, I feel pretty blessed to have had such an easy surgery.

[kathystrick 3]

Glad you're doing well. Hope the lung gets better soon!

[mstrina27 0]

wow.... im sorry to hear about the complications... however congrats on your banding... and even tho i dont have a freekin band date yet i have stopped taking my diet pills and my enegry level has been crappy....

[TxChelsey 1]

That sucks! Did you have the procedure done in a hospital? My surgeon required one night stay in the hospital for observation, and I am grateful for that. I had a repsiratory therapist show up within an hour after I woke up to start breathing treatments. They came back every few hours while I was awake, and though it was annoying, I had no problems. They also left a spirometer for me to use during the breaks. Hope everything works out for you!!

[PeeJay1031 0]

I've been kind of paranoid about pneumonia, but hadn't thought about a collapsed lung! I have pain when I take a deep breath and every minutes I get this wierd hitch when I breath, kind of like a really deep hiccup.

I hope you get better soon.

Peej

[Savedbygrace 11]

Well, 1 week post op check went really well. Incisions healing really fast, Dr was surprised. Did find out that pain in my left ribs when I breathe is from a partially collapsed left lung. Nothing I can do about it except force myself to take deep breaths thru the pain to force my lung to re-inflate itself. Dr gave me a respiratory spirometer to use & that does seem to help even though it hurts like hell. But good news was no pneumonia or blood clot. I have also lost 6 more lbs!! YAYYYY!!!!!!

Did the pain in your left ribs start as soon as surgery was over? I was banded 4/24 and wasn't having this pain until now. I woke up with it in the middle of the night. It's about 3 inches left of my port incision and 3 inches above it. It only hurts when I take a deep breath but WOW it takes my breath away. On the breathing machine with my height and age I should be up to 2800. Yesterday I was able to get there comfortably. Today I can barely get to 1800. Does this sound like your pain?

[LynneB 0]

Sorry I havent responded, been super busy...yes that sounds exactly like my pain, which is better today finally. I did have the procedure in the hosp & I stayed the night voluntarily. No, the pain did not start immediately after surgery, it was day 3 when it got really hard to take a deep breath. I do finally feel somewhat normal today though & I am on day 10.