WLS AND COPD

You all are so good about having good info that I sure hope I am not the only one with this. I was diagnosed with copd after I had already started my wls journey and was wandering if anyone had the surgery with the same issues and how well did you do?? My date is Dec 10th and I do breathing exercises everyday to strengthen my lungs to prepare for it. I guess I am just afraid once I go for preop at the hospital they will say they can't do the surgery because of copd. So please put my mine at ease a bit.. BTW I am well aware of the extra risk it is because of it but my pulmonary doctor seems to think it will help also. Thanks for such a supportive group of people.

Kathy, I have operated on a lot of patients with COPD. As long as it's not severe enough to need steroids, it's typically not a problem. Your chance of pulmonary complications is much lower with a laparoscopic procedure would be my only suggestion. Good luck, Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 559-2545

Dr.C Thanks so much for your help. That is what my pulmonary care dr said but wasn't sure of what my surgeon was going to say next week. Also I am having the lap RNY so hopefully that will make the difference but he did tell me the things to expect JUST IN Case. So I wouldn't be in the dark about it all. However I am prepared for whatever happens during and after surgery. Thank you once again

What is COPD?

Just think of it as emphysema. C

Cindy It's Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.....Emphysema is in the same catagory.. and it is something you don't want to have so take are of your LUNGS......

The latest definition of COPD (chronic obstructive pumonary disease), from the National Lung Health Education Program (NHLEP) defines it as a group of diseases that include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthmatic bronchitis. The common characteristic is obstruction to airflow out of the lungs and the common symptom is shortness of breath. In the US, 90% of COPD is due to smoking. A lot of information that means don't smoke and keep doing your lung excercises for the best outcome. I also agree that the laparoscopic approach reduces postoperative lung issues significantly such as pneumonia, and episodes of low oxygen, the decreased pain also also for easier clearance of your lungs by deep breathing and coughing vs. open. Good Luck, Calvin Selwyn, M.D. Assistant Professor of Surgery University of Cincinnati

Calvin Selwyn, M.D. Thanks so much for your response...I was really worried they would cancel at the last min..But so far I have followed the program and gave up smoking when I was diagnosed with copd. Thank you, Thank you Thank you to all of you for responding. Kathy