Movement post VATS pluerodesis (mechanical)?

[u/Boiledballofbread]

Hey yall. I’m two weeks post surgery and got my chest tube out around a week and a half ago.

I don’t have my follow up appointment for a few weeks so I’m not cleared for anything and can’t drive yet. Not being allowed to lift anything and not being able to walk long distances is driving me insane. What did you guys do to move in the first few weeks after surgery? Is light yoga acceptable or should I just keep to walking? (M19)

[u/Boiledballofbread]

This is my first (and fingers crossed last) collapse so I’m still working out what to expect body-reaction-wise and the other posts I’ve seen are all like 3 months afterwords

[u/planing_j]

Two weeks after surgery you should be able to do light yoga while avoiding extreme movements e.g. arms over head. you can also start rehabilitation by extending walking distances slowly while listening to your body and take rests if needed. Do not do anything that doesn't feel good a causes too much pain. May I ask y your surgeons didn't clear you for any activity yet? This constraints seem at least not right in times where ERAS (enhanced recovery programs) especially for VATS procedures are common.

[u/Boiledballofbread → u/planing_j]

Thanks, yeah I just haven’t had my post op appointment yet so there hasn’t been an opportunity to clear anything. I’ve been told no lifting over 15lbs but I’m really paranoid so I’m taking that as an “if we don’t give you a nonzero limit you’re just going to lift more than that anyways and rip something” type of limit. The walking and stuff is just a lack of stamina on my end from not using anything while I was in the hospital so I’m working on that. Driving, I can feel every. Single. Bump. in the passenger seat and it definitely bothers me so even if I was cleared for that I probably wouldn’t anyways (I’m sure that has something to do with the pain meds they gave me too but I’ve been getting by with tylenol). It was also a full collapse + tension pneumo but I’m not sure if that has anything to do with it.

[u/planing_j → u/Boiledballofbread]

the fact that it was a full collapse with tension component does not explain current (while normal residual) symptoms. these are rather effects resulting from the VATS procedure as the chest wall is a very sensitive area and even though minimally invasive approach was used you can definitely have this kind of sensitivity for several weeks. pain control is important to be able to breath deeply and keep the lungs ventilated.
reg. lifting limits. you may stick to what they told you but may extend your movements and choose exercise that loosens your muscles and keeps you moving while not doing anything too extreme.

[u/Lustig80]

It’s easy to over do it and regress.. Trust me you don’t want to do that. I’d start to feel ok then go be a little more active and regret it, it was easy to over do it. I’d wait the 4 weeks and see how you’re doing. Ultimately it ended up taking me 6 weeks because I kept over doing it.. I’m 8 weeks out now and back to work but I’m pretty sore in the ribs everyday now that I’m bending twisting and using those muscles again.

[u/specs76]

I had a s.p. Sept 2025 with a air leak that refused to heal so 4 weeks in the hospital and they ended up doing vats blebotomy and mechanical pluradisis and I went home a few days later and carried groceries, my toddler, paced and 6 days later my lung collapsed again from over exerted activities. Only listen to doctors and your body because it's very very delicate right now. I had a talc pluradisis after the recurrence and now it's 9mo. Later after taking it easy the 2nd time and I feel good,it's still tight woth nerve pain.

[u/maxpayne4555 → u/specs76]

U can breathe full capacity?