Question:
pulmonary dr state i have emphysema & cannot have the surgery

is there not anyway i can have surgery,lap or please what can i do.i have tried everything i know to lose wt & can not.has anyone every had the surgery & not had to go on a vent.is there any any hope for me,or am i to continue in mesery as a fat lady......HELP PLEASE!!!    — barbara B. (posted on January 6, 2004)

January 6, 2004
I think I would get a second opinion first. I am so sorry you have to go through this. That's the only thing I can think of. I am sending lots of hugs to you ..MJ
   — Mary Jane C.

January 6, 2004
I assume youwere a smoker. Have you quit?
   — bob-haller

January 7, 2004
It's not about the type of surgery - lap or open, but about the anesthetic. It will slow your breathing. The doctor must be concerned that you will not be able to recover your breathing after surgery. I had some low oxygen saturation after surgery due to sleep apnea. I didn't even think it would be a problem and practiced my breathing weeks before surgery plus used my CPAP machine for 5 weeks before. Have you had a pulmonary function test recently? I agree about the second opinion too, but even if the endo doc okays it, the surgeon may still say no. Good luck!!
   — Dragonfly2B2

January 7, 2004
I had LAP RNY 9-15-03 and I had asthma as well as emphysema...and it was not due to my being a smoker since I have never smoked a day in my life but was exposed to secondhand smoke as a child...I used a nebulizer every 4 hours and my Proventil approx 20 times a day and my surgeon didn't have a problem with my having the surgery...however I had breathing problems afterwards and ended up having a chest tube due to fluid in my lung and chest walls...I wasn't released from the hosp til Oct 16 only to return for a week Dec 1....However, I do not use the nebulizer any longer nor do I use my Proventil inhaler...I know part of it is due to the weight loss and the other well I can't explain...I would get a second opinion...Good luck!
   — Rhondaroo78

January 9, 2004
I too have been told by the Pulminologist that I have emphysema. But he OK'd me for the Gastric surgery. I am scheduled for the 5th of Febuary. The pulmonaligist put me on ALBU and told me not to smoke anymore. This was done 3 months after I had already quit smoking. I am to use the Albuteral daily, 2 puffs 4 times a day. It does seem to help. My husband still smokes around me and I start coughing when he is home. Like I said, I was approved even with the Lung disease. 65% capacity in the right lung, 80% capacity in the left! Get a second opinion
   — cindirella