Get Well Soon

Helping you to make a speedy recovery after surgery to have part or all of a lung removed

Returning to work

Although most people who need to have a lung resection are retired, as increasing numbers of people now work beyond the retirement age, it’s worth mentioning how to balance work and recovery if this applies to you.

Fact: work can be part of your recovery

Everyone needs time off to recover after an operation - but too much of it can stand in the way of you getting back to normal. In fact, by staying off for too long, people can become isolated and depressed. Getting back to your normal routine sooner rather than later will play a big part in preventing this.

Getting back to work

How quickly you return to work depends on a number of things:

• How you heal
• How you respond to surgery
• The type of job you do

People whose work involves a lot of heavy lifting, or standing up or walking for long periods of time, will not be able to return to work as quickly as those who have office jobs which are less demanding physically.

How soon can I go back?

Every person recovers differently and has different needs. In most cases it’s usually safe to return to work between three to four months after the operation. Your consultant or GP can advise you on this.