Question:
What causes some people's lungs to collapse in surgery?

I hear that some people die from their lungs collapsing with surgery. Why does this happen/how? Are there risk factors involved and is there anything to do to prevent?    — emilyfink (posted on April 10, 2002)

April 12, 2002
Hi Emily: I had a partially collapsed lung and developed pneumonia post op. They caught it right away, and put me on antibiotics and breathing treatments. It complicated my healing initially and I ended up staying in the hospital seven days instead of five. Pre op, I went to see a pulmonary specialist and it was a blessing, because he was the person who found and dealt with the problem when I was in the hospital. I knew going in, that my weight (5'8" and 339 lbs) put me at risk for complications. Glad that the one I had was fixable! If this concerns you, see a pulmonologist before your surgery and discuss it with him. Good luck to you. I am (by the way) almost eight weeks post op and feel just fine. Warmest regards,
   — Ann B.