Heather,

Which thymectomy procedure will they be preforming? It sounds like your are describing the Full Sternotomy approach. This is the most invasive procedure. Did your doctor tell you why one of the other approaches, ones that are less invasive, is not being considered? You might consider a second opinion if your doctor insists on one of the more invasive approaches.

The good news is that younger people have a better chance of remission after a thymectomy.

Here is a link to the options:

Surgical Thymectomy Approaches.

The least invasive is the transcervical approach. Patients who have had a transcervical thymectomy usually have a 1 to 3 day hospital stay and a week or two of recovery, if thing go well.

I sure hope you have some help with the baby during this period.

-Mark-