Recovery differs from person to person. Some patients may have to stay overnight in the hospital following a thymectomy for observation and to ensure a healthy recovery. All patients will be advised to avoid strenuous physical activity following a thymectomy to ensure optimal recovery. Scarring for most patients is minimal, since RATS and VATS only involve minor incisions. The risk of recurrence of a thymoma following a thymectomy would depend of the stage and type of thymoma. For peace of mind, your surgeon will likely ask you to schedule a CT scan every five years to ensure that there are no recurrences.