Recovery guide · Thoracic surgery & ribs
Thoracic surgery recovery
Surgery through the side of the chest — a thoracotomy, a lobectomy, VATS — and rib fractures share one recovery problem. The chest wall has to move for you to breathe, and movement is exactly what hurts. Everything below follows from that.
This page is the overview for lateral chest surgery and rib injury. If your breastbone was divided instead, read heart surgery recovery.
Breathing is the priority
The risk is not the wound
Shallow breathing and a suppressed cough are what lead to pneumonia and atelectasis. The incision heals; blocked airways cause the readmissions.
Pain relief is functional
Take it on schedule, not heroically late. Its purpose is to let you breathe deeply, cough properly and walk — not simply to feel comfortable.
Support, then move
Stabilising the rib cage spreads the load away from the incision or fracture, which is what makes early mobilisation realistic instead of theoretical.
Do the exercises
The breathing routine your physiotherapist gives you is treatment, not a formality. Keep to the schedule even on the days it is uncomfortable.
Who this covers
The same principle — stabilise the rib cage, protect the breath — applies across lateral chest surgery, lung resection and rib trauma, even though the operations are very different.
- Thoracotomy and mini-thoracotomy
- Lung surgery — lobectomy, pneumonectomy, wedge resection, VATS
- Fractured and bruised ribs, and blunt chest trauma
- TAVI, where stabilisation is applied immediately after the procedure
- Intensive care and ward rehabilitation, as part of a pain-management protocol
Which device, and why
The ThoraxBelt is the sized device for ongoing support: even compression around the rib cage, spreading load off the incision or the fracture. The Chestfix is universal fit, designed to be applied as soon as possible after surgery — which is why wards keep it on hand.
The PRO Support Vest is not the device for a lateral incision — it exists to hold a divided breastbone still. Support should never be tight enough to restrict your breathing; if it is, loosen it and tell your team.
Contact your team straight away if
- breathlessness is new or worsening, or you cannot get a full breath
- you cough up blood, or your sputum changes colour or volume
- you develop a fever, chills, or feel newly unwell
- the wound becomes more red, swollen, painful, or starts to discharge
- chest pain is new, sharp on breathing, or different from your usual incision pain
In an emergency call 000. This list is not exhaustive — if something feels wrong, ring your team rather than waiting.
Go deeper
Rib injury
Recovering from a fractured rib
Healing time, sleeping, coughing — and why ribs are never bound tightly.
Device
ThoraxBelt — from $58.30
Sizes XS–XXL, men’s and women’s fit, 5–7 working days.
Device
Chestfix — $60.50
Universal fit, applied immediately after surgery. No measuring.
Guides
All recovery guides
Fatigue, sleeping, driving, healing timelines and warning signs.
Clinicians
For hospitals & ICU
Ward workflow, pack quantities and evaluation units.
Questions patients ask
+How long does thoracotomy pain last?
Pain from a lateral incision typically eases over several weeks, though nerve-related discomfort along the scar can persist for months in some patients. Tell your team if it is not improving, or is stopping you breathing deeply or sleeping.
+Does a belt help with broken ribs?
A thoracic support belt limits excessive movement of fractured or bruised ribs and reduces pain on movement, while still allowing the deep breathing that prevents pneumonia. It should never be tight enough to restrict breathing.
+Can I use the Support Vest instead?
Not for a lateral incision. The vest is built to hold a divided breastbone still front-to-back; a thoracotomy or rib fracture needs even compression around the rib cage instead. Compare the three devices.
+When can I go back to normal activity?
It depends on the operation, on your lung function, and on what you are going back to. Your surgical team and physiotherapist will set the steps — build up walking distance first, and add load only when they say so.
Who writes this, and what it is not
Written by Posthorax Australia, the Australian distributor of the POSTHORAX® range, for patients recovering from thoracic surgery or rib injury. Device descriptions reflect the manufacturer’s stated indications; general recovery guidance reflects standard postoperative practice.
We are not your treating team and this is not medical advice. Where anything here conflicts with your surgeon, physiotherapist or rehabilitation service, follow them.
Last reviewed 30 July 2026 · Corrections: sales@posthorax.com.au or 1300 707 222