How Long Does It Take to Recover After the Removal of the Upper Right Lung Lobe?

The right lung lobe cannot regenerate after resection, and the length of postoperative recovery time varies from person to person. Lung lobectomy is mainly used for diseases such as irreversible diseases confined to the lung lobe and peripheral lung cancer. On the day of surgery, patients can perform bed activities, and on the first day after surgery, they can get out of bed for exercise. Patients can be discharged for daily life in 3 to 5 days. After 2 weeks, patients can engage in clerical or simple work in the office. However, if physical exercise is required, it is recommended to start exercising one month after surgery, beginning with simple and mild activities and gradually escalating.

1. Normal diet can be resumed on the first day after lung resection. Depending on the size of the surgery and the patient's recovery status, water can be consumed 8 hours after waking up from anesthesia, and liquid food can be introduced 12 hours later. For breakfast on the first day after surgery, semi-liquid food such as light rice soup or vegetable soup can be started, as well as noodle soup, thin vegetable soup, or egg custard.

2. When planning the diet after lung resection, family members should consider the patient's long-term dietary habits, especially their breakfast routine. It is advisable to avoid serving nourishing, rich meat or chicken broth on the first day after surgery. The diet during the 8-24 hours after surgery should focus on restoring digestive function, and it is best to avoid milk and fruit juices, as they can cause bloating or diarrhea if not fresh or stored properly.

3. Foods that boost immunity should be consumed since patients may have a weaker constitution and lower immunity after lung resection. These include foods like yam, turtle, shiitake mushrooms, kiwi, figs, apples, sardines, honey, milk, and pig liver, which can help improve the body's resistance to disease and accelerate the recovery process.

4. Foods that can enhance immune function and support the inhibitory effect of drugs on cancer cells should be selected, such as soft-shelled turtle, yellow croaker, sweet almonds, walnuts, jujubes, and shiitake mushrooms. Depending on the symptoms presented, foods with cough-suppressing, fever-reducing, hemostatic, soothing, chest-widening, and analgesic effects can be chosen to alleviate discomfort and enhance treatment confidence.