When I was in the hospital, the nurse brought me a bottle (about 1 liter size) filled half way with water and a large tube. I had to blow bubbles 10 times an hour-take as big a breath as possible and slowly blow. It was supposed to do two things-1)help prevent pneumonia and 2)help with lung capacity and strength after surgery and being on your back too long.
They did not do this in Edinburgh when I had my surgery and I had terrible “gasps” for about 4 months when my breath would catch. I wonder if this would have helped? It seemed to help with the pain of deep breathing after a day of doing it.
Thought I would pass that along as I had not seen it before but it seems to help.
Kris