Patient Info

Patients Guide to Lung Surgery

A step-by-step tour of the lung surgery process, with descriptions of the lungs, lung disease, and treatments. Includes guides to thoracoscopy and thoracotomy.

About...

• About Your Lungs
• Lung Disease
• Common Reasons for Lung Surgery
• What is Lung Surgery?
• Lung Evaluation and Tests

Surgical Procedures

• Thoracoscopy Patient's Guide
• Thoracotomy Patient's Guide

What to Do Before Your Surgery

• Registration and Pre-Admission
• Your Surgery Team
• What to Bring to the Hospital / Accommodations
• The Night Before & Day of Surgery

During Your Surgery

• Arriving in the Operating Room
• Recovering in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
• Staying in the CT Unit

After Your Surgery

• Discharge Planning
• Pain Management and Medication After Lung Surgery
• Taking Care of Your Incisions After Lung Surgery
• Breathing and Coughing Exercises
• Your Emotional and Mental Well-Being After Surgery
• Sleeping
• Diet and Nutrition
• Telemetry Nursing Unit
• Resuming Activities and Exercise After Lung Surgery
• In Case of Emergency After Lung Surgery: What to do if...

Other Information

• Lung Cancer Treatment Options
• Support Group Information
• USC University Hospital Concierge Services
• A Guide for Visitors
  • Visiting the Patient in the ICU
  • Visiting the Patient in the CT Unit
  • Post Surgery Health Care Team