sorry
what is transcervical?
I do think we all react differently. I was home in 2 days......but when they told me 6 weeks to recover....that is what it took.
Ann

Hi Nicole,

I had a thymectomy a week ago today, but he wouldn't do it trans-cervical, so I had a partial sternotomy. Ann, with the transcervical, they go from above, and don't break the sternum.

I had surgery on Tuesday and came home Thursday, but the nurses all told me I was exceptionally quick to recover. Right now, I'm on narcotic pain pills at night, and 3-4 advil during the day. I can't drive for another 3 weeks, either, with the broken sternum, and I don't think you'll have that restriction. Overall, I feel very good. My MG didn't have flare up much at all, I have good energy, eating well, and not much pain as long as I'm timely with my pain pills.

Depending on the type of work you do, you might be fine to go back to work in 2 weeks, but maybe you'd better tell them 3 to be safe. Are they expecting you'll get out of the hospital the next day (Friday)? If you miss that date, it can be a bugger to get them to release you over the weekend, so check with the surgeon. You also may want to find out if he has ever/would ever/under what circumstances he might change to a surgery like mine - partial sternotomy. Maybe he's never had that happen and it's not an issue, but if it does, your recovery time will be much longer. I hate to make you worry - if he thinks he can do it transcervical, most likely he can, but it's a good idea to ask.

Good luck with your surgery, and feel free to ask any questions! BTW, he didn't even consider transcervical for me, as I had a large thymoma.

Thank you!!! Yes - it is supposed to be transcervical - but I am a pain in the neck patient (literally pretty soon!) and have insisted on a conversion to a sternotomy approach if the entire thymic capsule can't be removed (I don't have evidence of an abnormal thymus though)
I will def take 3 wks - thank you!
Binia - sounds like you are doing fairly well for such a big surgery one week later!! Great to hear and at that pace you will be better really quickly!!!!

Good luck Nicole!

I had my thymectomy 8 weeks ago but through VATS keyhole surgery so recovery rate is different.

I hope the surgery goes well. Its difficult when you have to plan it around the family Mine are teenagers and they did help a "little" around the House but at least they were able to fend for themselves and make cups of teas when asked!

All the best

Gez

Thank you Gez! May I ask how long you were mostly bed/home bound even though it was a bit different surgery?

I do get tea sometimes too...but mine comes in pink plastic cups and while they spend a good deal of time making it...it is just pretend!!
Nicole

My daughter had her thymectomy almost 4months ago she had the thorascopic thymectomy i think thats how you spell it. she had hers done almost 4months ago she stayed at childrens hospital about 3days and had for the first two days a tube drainage on her side. i know they say everyone is different in recovery it took my lil one i would say a lil over a week almost 2weeks to recover. when she came home. my prayers go out to you best of luck on your surgery.i know how you feel about the nervous part i felt so scared and nervous for my lil one when she had hers done. praying that you have a easy recovery

irene :)

Hi Nicole,

Did you have an abnormal CT scan? Is your surgeon well versed in performing a thymectomy via the transcervical approach?

In May of 2012, I underwent a thymectomy via transcervical, but with a twist and that was combining it with the robotic approach. If you would like more information, please don't hesitate to send me a message.

Take Care
J

Hi Nicole,

I had a good recovery from the VATS surgery. I did have a "little" hiccup when I started bleeding internally after the op and had to back to into theatre after 24 hours. But that was just one of those things that happens - nothing to do with the thymectomy. As a result I was I. Hospital for a few more days.

But!!! Once home I recovered really well. Not much soreness at all. Wasn't stopped driving (that was never mentioned). I'm not working at the moment but if I was I'd say I would have been back with 2 - 3 weeks. Everyone's different I guess.

Good luck. I'll be thinking of you!

Gez