How a tracheostomy is carried out. A planned tracheostomy is usually carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you'll be unconscious during the procedure and will not feel any pain. A doctor or surgeon will make a hole in your throat using a needle or scalpel before inserting a tube into the opening.

How long does it take to recover from a tracheostomy?

Your Recovery

After surgery, your neck may be sore, and you may have trouble swallowing for a few days. It may take 2 to 3 days to get used to breathing through the tracheostomy (trach) tube. You can expect to feel better each day. But it may take at least 2 weeks to adjust to living with your trach (say "trayk").

What does it feel like to breathe with a tracheostomy?

A: Until you get used to breathing through the trach tube, you may feel that it is hard to breathe or swallow. Stay calm. Take some deep breaths. As you relax, the feeling should go away.