Breathing & recovery
Exercises after lung surgery: breathing, shoulders and walking
Based on the exercises NHS (National Health Service) thoracic surgery units give people after lung surgery; it hasn't been tested as a programme. Do the breathing and leg moves several times a day at first, the shoulder and trunk moves 2 or 3 times a day, and walk every day, building up slowly. Feeling a little out of breath is normal and shows you're working, but you shouldn't be gasping. Hospitals differ on lifting, pushing and pulling, giving 4 to 8 weeks before anything heavy, so follow your own team.
Breathing and coughing (sitting upright)
- Lateral breathing (Pilates breathing)5 slow breathsBeginner · Abs · 3D demoHands on the sides of your lower ribs. Breathe in slowly, hold for 1 or 2 seconds, then breathe out slowly; rest if you feel dizzy. Then a few huffs: breathe out quickly through an open mouth. If phlegm comes up, hug a small pillow over your wound and cough. Every half hour while you're awake at firstHarder: Roll-up (Pilates)
- Ankle circles30 sBeginner · Calves, Shins · 3D demoCircle and pump both anklesHarder: Ankle CARs (controlled articular rotations)
- Quad set (static quads)5 to 10 each legBeginner · Quads · 3D demoPress the back of your knee down and tighten your thigh, hold a moment, then relaxHarder: Straight-leg raise
Shoulders and trunk (sitting tall, no weights)
- Shoulder rolls5 to 10Beginner · Shoulders, Back, Neck · 3D demoRoll both shoulders backwards, then shrug them up towards your ears and relaxHarder: Shoulder CARs (controlled articular rotations)
- Breath reach5 each armBeginner · 3D demoRaise the arm on your operated side forwards and up as far as is comfortable, then out to the side and up. Breathe in as it rises. A stretch is fine; sharp pain isn'tHarder: Slow breathing (6 breaths a minute)
- Overhead side bend5 each sideBeginner · 3D demoSitting: slide one hand down towards the floor and bend gently sideways, then the other wayEasier: Seated overhead side bendHarder: Overhead lat stretch at a bench (elbows on the bench)
- Thoracic rotation5 each sideBeginner · 3D demoArms crossed over your chest, turn slowly to look left, then right, keeping your hips stillEasier: Side-lying open bookHarder: World's greatest stretch
- Seated upper-back lift (sit tall, shoulders back)5 holds of 5 sBeginner · Back, Shoulders, Neck · 3D demoSit tall and draw your shoulder blades gently down and back. Try not to lean towards your operated sideEasier: Elbows backHarder: Prone Y-T-W raises
Legs
- Seated knee extension (chair)10 each legBeginner · Quads · 3D demoStraighten one knee with your toes pulled up, hold for 5 seconds, then lowerEasier: Quad set (static quads)Harder: Leg extension
- Standing march1 minBeginner · Hip flexors, Abs, Glutes · 3D demoHolding a worktopEasier: Seated marchHarder: Standing band hip flexion
Walk
- Treadmill walking5 to 10 min at firstBeginner · Quads, Calves, Glutes · 3D demoTwice a day, outdoors if you can. Add a few minutes every day or two: about 20 minutes twice a day by week 3 and 45 minutes once a day by week 6. If you're breathless, stop and rest: it should settle within a minute or twoHarder: Treadmill jogging
Tips
- Do the breathing moves every half hour while you're awake in the first days, the shoulder and trunk moves 2 or 3 times a day, and walk every day.
- Coughing won't damage your wound. Hug a small pillow over it, and ask for pain relief if pain stops you breathing deeply or coughing.
- Hospitals differ on lifting: one says no heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks, another 6 to 8, and another avoids pushing, pulling and lifting in the early weeks. Follow your own team.
- Many people find their breathlessness improves over the first 4 to 8 weeks. Getting a little out of breath is fine; gasping isn't.
- Contact your GP (general practitioner) or team, or call NHS 111, for a wound that's red, inflamed, painful or leaking, a high temperature, more phlegm or a change in its colour, or more breathlessness than usual.
- Call 999 for chest pain that feels tight or like squeezing or spreads to your arms, neck or jaw, severe difficulty breathing, or coughing up more than a few spots or streaks of blood.
- After about 6 weeks, move on to the easy cardio workout and a strength routine, and ask your team about a rehabilitation programme.
The doses are suggested starting points, not a prescription. Choose a range you can control and stop for sharp or increasing pain, numbness or tingling. Get individual advice after an injury or surgery, or if you are pregnant or managing a health condition.
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25 minBeginner12 movesA bench or box, Cardio machineQuestions people ask
How long does the exercises after lung surgery: breathing, shoulders and walking take?
About 15 minutes, including any warm-up and cool-down listed. Shorten it by doing fewer rounds; lengthen it by adding one.
What equipment do I need?
You need: A bench or box, Something with weight, Cardio machine. Each move links to its guide, where you can find an alternative if you are missing something.
Is it suitable for beginners?
It is written for beginners. 5 of its 12 moves have an easier option listed beside them if you need one.
How do I make it easier or harder?
Use the easier or harder option listed under each move, change the number of rounds, or adjust the rest. Progress one change at a time.