Laura,
Did you know that a thoracotomy is the type of surgery your doctor will use to perform the lobectomy? It is an "open" surgery, which is why you'll have a large incision. They will go between ribs to pull the lobe out. To do this, they have to spread the ribs apart.
VATS and RATS are minimally invasive procedures using scopes inserted through small incisions and the lobe is resected in the chest and pulled out piece by piece. Post surgery pain is said to be less and recovery time is shorter.
VATS, and increasingly RATS, is the new standard in large cancer centers.
Tony

Laura, hoping and 🙏that your surgery (I think it was today) went well and was successful. Today/tomorrow will be the worse, then every day a little better. Take it one day at a time. Stay positive. Sue

I had left lower lobe taken by vats. Had three small incisions. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be but then again I was happy they were taking the cancer out. Took a bit to recover but two and a half years later I go to the gym three times a week for 50 minutes on the treadmill on an incline. My breathing got better and I feel just about myself. Hope all goes well for you. Prayers and healing thoughts I’m sending to you. Good luck
Kim

I had VATS to take out my upper lobe. Have maybe 6 small incisions. Still wasn't easy. Thinking of you

No ma'am haven't heard of that yet
Plz keep us Informed
Hope you are having blessed day and plz know if you ever need a friend i am here sunshine!!!