The Physiotherapy team will help to facilitate your recovery until you are ready for discharge home. You may meet different members of the team during your stay. These are the aspects that the Physiotherapy Team will focus on.

Breathing exercises

To encourage good airflow through your lungs and prevent any chest infections after surgery it is important to take deep breaths. This will also encourage movement of your newly shaped ribcage.

We understand this may be uncomfortable but it is very important to get your lungs working properly. Your physiotherapist will give you an Incentive Spirometer before your surgery to encourage you to take deep breaths and will show you how to use this.

• Sit upright in bed or a chair – do not slouch!
• Take a long, steady breath in through the mouthpiece
• Keep the small round yellow counter in the smiley face whilst raising the large yellow marker as high up the cylinder as possible
• Blow out all the air in your chest before taking the next breath in 

Supported cough

It is important to cough to clear any mucus or phlegm from your chest and although it may be uncomfortable it is safe to do so. Your physiotherapist will show you how to cough using a pillow or a towel. This is also useful when sneezing or laughing.

Be active

It is important that you sit up out of bed with help either on the day of your surgery or the first day after surgery because spending too much time in bed can cause mucus to build up in your lungs putting you at risk of a chest infection. Your physiotherapist will help you to get up out of bed for the first time.

 You will start to walk on the first day after your surgery. This will feel easier every day and you will soon be able to walk on your own. Your physiotherapist will work with you to ensure you feel safe, confident and ready to go home. 

Posture

It may be uncomfortable to sit and stand up straight following your surgery but sitting or standing hunched might make you worse and make it difficult to keep your lungs clear of mucus. Poor posture may also affect the appearance of your chest following surgery. Your physiotherapist will give you advice and exercises to help improve your posture.