Question:
Can surgery be performed with chronic asthma

Is it safe to have open RNY with chronic asthma? Curently taking Advair discus 500/50 and albuterol inhaler. Also is there anyone with this condition that has had the surgery and has been able to function normally (without asthma complications).    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 28, 2002)

February 27, 2002
I to suffer from asthma and take flovent and albuteral. I am almost 2 months post-op and did well during and after surgery. The pulmonary specialist that I see, told me to tell the surgeon to put him down for consult while I was in the hospital and he ordered breathing treatments every four hours after surgery for the duration of my hospital stay. Everything work out find. I hope this helped.
   — Gloria G.

February 28, 2002
Hi. I was recovering from a bad upper respiratory infection that triggered my asthma at the time I had my surgery. I was on Singulair, albuterol, a steriod inhaler (can't remember which one), an expectorant and oral steroids. I was worried that I would have problems with anesthesia. My peak flow was borderline OK. I did fine. But I was sure to communicate my concerns to my surgeon, anesthesiologist and PCP. I was seen by an MD 4 times in the 10 days prior to surgery, just to get things under control and keep them there. I also got breathing treatments in the hospital which helped alot. Be up front about your concerns, and be vocal when it comes to asking for the nebulizer treatments you know you need when you're hospitalized. JMHO JK, RN
   — Joya K.

February 28, 2002
I had it pre op, although it was'nt officially diagosed I know I had it! That and acid reflux. I'm almost 10 months post op and "so far" have'nt had it since and I had both pretty bad pre op!
   — Danmark

February 28, 2002
I am 14 months post op and have severe chronic asthma. I was on singulair, albuterol inhaler, flovent, serevent and oral steroids. I was not actively wheezing when I had my surgery. The surgeon said that because of the severity of my asthma, I might wake up on a ventilator, however, I did not. In fact, I had no breathing problems during or after the surgery. I made sure that I followed the doc's instructions about the breathing exercises while I was in the hospital and I really didn't have any trouble. As long as your symptoms are under control the day of surgery (no active wheezing or coughing) you should be fine. Make certain that your surgeon and anesthesiologist are aware of the severity of your symptoms and any medications you are taking ESPECIALLY if you are taking oral steroids. Any oral steroids will interfere with your ability to recover from surgery and they may have to supplement. As long as you follow your prevention routine, you should have no trouble at all. Good luck!
   — Maria H.

February 28, 2002
I am preop and one of the reasons I am having WLS is because of my Asthma. I never had it until I got really big. So they seem to think it is caused by my weight. If not caused by it definately making it worse. My Dr. knows everything I am taking for it and said they would give me my treatments while in the hospital and I might have to be put on the ventilater. I am a little concerned, but I have faith in God and my Dr.
   — Emile N.

February 28, 2002
Yep... they put me in ICU for a day before the surgery and a day after and pumped me full of drugs to make sure I didn't have an attack. Now that I've lost 21 kilos [about 46 pounds] I find that my asthma is much better ... still there, but heaps better.
   — blank first name B.