Thymectomy is booked :)
 

I finally got the call today! I'm booked in for May 8, I'm still unsure weather I'm excited or scared to death!!!

I'm hoping that we don't have any problems, and that I stay strong through it all.

Im having the Thoroscopic procedure, and words of advise?

I had that procedure back in 2000. Was pretty much a piece of cake! I walked out of the hospital under my own power 24 hours after surgery. I had an almost 3 year old at home at that point, and after the first week I resumed her full care.

I hope you have similar success. Afterward, just avoid any strenuous activity with your right arm for a few weeks. I cut up a watermelon in mid-May for my dtr's birthday party and felt the strain after that. Otherwise, pain was minimal.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Good Luck! Be sure to stop in and let us know how it went afterwards :)

Sorry I don't have any advice, my thymectomy was through the full sternum split method.

I also had the Thoroscopic Procedure in 2006 on a Thursday morning, stayed overnight for observation, and went home the next day. Had some minor pain for about a day, but was back at work full-time the following week. I had a great surgeon and everything went very well, and I was surprised that recovery was so fast.

Best of luck!

Will be thinking of you on the 8th! Wishing you a speedy recovery and improved health!!

Wilke, did you have a surgeon out of Medical City Hospital in Dallas? If so, I did, too. ;)

Thank you all, they told me it would be 3-4 days in the hospital, 24 hours sounds way better to me. I'll hope for the best and catch up when I'm back home:)

thymectomy
 

I had a robotic thymectomy in December 2011 in Chicago. They told me up to 4 days, and it was 4. As it turns out, they collapsed my lung purposely to gain more room to remove the thymus. I was 4 days in hospital because of the collapsed lung and making sure that everything was draining properly from that. The surgery itself and recuperation after I got home were fine. I took two weeks total off work, which I was glad I did because my stamina wasn't much. Overall I'm glad I did it, and feel like it was a pretty quick recovery. Best wishes to you!

Kimmy.

I had the robotic thymectomy 2 weeks ago, stayed overnight and was discharged the next day. I was completely ready to go, just a little out of it from the morphine and anesthesia the day before :D As they say, the worst part is the removal of the chest tube (if you have one) and that only takes 2 seconds! At home, I slept in a recliner for a couple of days and then with 3 or 4 pillows. It will not be comfortable to lie flat in the bed. Be kind to your body and rest. It will get better. Watch a comedy marathon :) Wishing you a successful surgery and quiet recuperation!

Robotic thymectomy
 

Kimmy.

I had the robotic thymectomy 2 weeks ago, stayed overnight and was discharged the next day. I was completely ready to go, just a little out of it from the morphine and anesthesia the day before :D. As they say, the worst part is the removal of the chest tube (if you have one) in the hospital and that only takes 2 seconds! I slept in a recliner for a couple of days and then with 3 or 4 pillows. You will not want to lie flat on the bed. Be kind to yourself. Watch a comedy marathon! Wishing you well with your surgery and a quiet, speedy recuperation!

I had my pre-op today and they mentioned maybe having to collapse a lung that's probably why they said 3-4 days, I go in at 6 am tomorrow and I'm praying that everything goes well with good results, I will let ya all know how it went when I get back home

Thanks for the responses

Yes, they will collapse the lung. That's the only way to get all the instruments in there through those tiny little holes. Several days after the surgery, you will feel and hear crackling sounds when you breathe as the lung fully expands and adheres to the chest wall again. It's kind of weird!

Also, get ready for a cantaloupe sized right breast! I had a ton of swelling and bruising. You may want to wear a bra 24/7 for a while, to support the area.

Good luck!

It's your big day! Hope all went well and you are on your way to feeling better soon!!

I was released from the hospital today, just a bit more than 24 hours after surgery. They did have to collaps my lung but it drained well overnight and they took the tube out this morning, I'm pretty sore and weak but nothing a little bed rest won't fix. I see my neurologist Friday morning to see where to go from here!

Wonderful news!!! Hope the rest goes as well. Sweet dreams
Mike

Kimmy,

Glad to hear everything went well for you. It's amazing what surgeons can do nowadays. FYI: I didn't have swelling or bruising on my right side, just soreness. I still have it off and on (3 weeks out).
Take care of youself!

Yes, I did... :)

Kimmy, I'm glad things went well. Rest up as much as you can.

Annie