I'm with Loopy Lou here. If you feel short of breath (not just pain or soreness when deep breathing) and/or you feel panicky, get to the ER! Pulmonary embolisms are nothing to play with! If it is just soreness when deep breathing, cough & deep breathe a few times every hour holding a pillow firmly across your abdomen & the soreness should subside soon. It amazes me how the nurses don't pass out the incentive spirometers after someone has had surgery. They are very important! I still didn't get one after asking twice! & I'm a nurse! LOL!!! I had the soreness too for a couple of days after surgery & the coughing & deep breathing worked for me. | 