A Patient's Guide to Lung Surgery

After Your Lung Surgery - In Case of Emergency
What To Do If...

You Need Immediate Help

Go to your local emergency room or call 911 if you are experiencing:

• Fast heart rate - more than 150 beats per minute, especially if you are short of breath
• Shortness of breath NOT relieved by rest
• Fever with chills
• Coughing up bright red blood
• Sudden numbness or weakness in arms or legs
• Sudden, severe headache
• Fainting spells
• Severe abdominal pain
• New onset of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Bright red blood in bowel movement
• You Have Concerns

Call your doctor if you are concerned about:

• Weight gain - 1 to 2 pounds per day for two days
• Worsening ankle swelling or leg pain
• Worsening shortness of breath
• Sharp pain when taking in a deep breath
• Pain in calf that becomes worse when leaning head toward toes
• Urinary tract infection - frequent urination, burning or urgency with urination
• Temperature higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, twice in 24 hours
• Bleeding, drainage or oozing from incisions that has increased
• Incisions that are red, warm to touch, swollen or opening
• Skin rash
• Extreme fatigue
• Acute gout flare-up

Also call us at (323) 442-5849 if:

• you have questions regarding your surgery or your incisions.
• you have questions regarding your medications or other symptoms not listed here.
• you can't decide whether your symptoms require you to go to the emergency room.