What are the risks and recovery expectations?

Risks include bleeding, infection, air leak (prolonged air leakage from the lung), pneumonia, blood clots, and rare injury to surrounding structures such as nerves or blood vessels. Most patients stay in the hospital for 5-7 days, with a chest tube typically removed after a few days once air leaks resolve. Full recovery at home takes 4-6 weeks, during which patients gradually resume normal activities but avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. Pain is generally well-controlled with oral medications, and most patients report significant improvement in breathing and quality of life within a few months.