Question:
What is a PUMONARY FUNCTION STUDY?? I have Dr. Fabio, St. Louis

What exactly is this test? I wheeze when I climb a flight of stairs. I doubt I be able to pass a test like this. If I fail will they cancel the wls?    — cherokey55 (posted on September 22, 2002)

September 21, 2002
I had this test done you blow into a tube and they check how much tidal volume of oxygen is in your lungs. They check this especially for people with asthma problems. It not a hard test they want to make sure your lungs are healthy.
   — sheri B.

September 21, 2002
I have had childhood asthma up until adult life. I no longer have as much problems with it as before, BUT, I too wheeze and get extremely out of breath when extering myself, including climbing the stairs. My pulmonary function tests came out very good. You'll probably do just fine. Good luck.
   — Patricia C.

September 22, 2002
I went thru Dr. Fabitio as well. I was a smoker for 15 years and passed the test. It was howerver by far the most difficult of all his pre-op testing. Takes about an hour. The nurse that performs it, was also one of his patients and is VERY serious about performing well on it. If you fail this test...yes Dr. Fabito will make you pass it before he will perform the surgery. Dont worry....you will be fine. They will help you pass it. My advice to you is to take slow deep breaths in and out several times per day till you have to take it. That will help. They actually have you do that after the test till you have surgery.
   — RebeccaP

September 22, 2002
THE PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST JUST TESTS YOUR LUNGS TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANY BREATHING PROBLEMS. IF YOU ARE A SMOKER IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT FOR YOU. THAT MORNING THAT U TAKE THE TEST LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY TO THE LADY GIVING YOU THE TEST. SHE HAD WLS AND BEEN THROUGH EVERYTHING U WILL BE GOING THROUGH AND SHE IS GREAT...I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE IT AT THE SAME HOSP. WITH THE SAME PHYSICIAN..LORETTA
   — LORETTA P.