Question:
How well can someone tolerate the Open Roux-en-Y who has severe COPD?

I am scheduled for the Open Roux-en-Y surgery November 20th. Although I have a surgeon who will perform the procedure, he has informed me repeatedly that I will be at great risk since I have severe COPD including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. I am currently on the following medications for my lungs: Iprathropium Bromide, Broncil, Xopenex, Albuterol, Flonase, and Clarintin or Singuliar. I am on oxygen 24 hours a day. My lung and heart doctors tell me I won't survive without the surgery and my WLS surgeon is telling me that I am at great risk with this surgery. I'm scared. Has anyone had this type of surgery with this many complications of the lungs? If so, I would like to correspond with you. Thanks!    — ghe5522 (posted on October 2, 2003)

October 2, 2003
hi i had surgery alittle over 2 years ago . i had bad heart and weak lungs also diabeties type 2 i am now 215 pounds down a lot of things have cleared up i still have some problems with the heart but the surgery was worth it at least know they can do proper testing for new problems and help to clear them up i had to get written medical clearance for heart and lungs e mail me if you want good luck to you by the way if i drop tommorow i still had at least 1 good year it was worth it to me ted
   — ted M.

October 2, 2003
I, too, have COPD, although yours sounds more severe than mine. The ABG just before surgery showed my blood oxygen level to be 64. The surgeon had told me that my risk was twice as great as most, but he felt the surgery would do me more good than harm. I knew before hand that I would be going to ICU on a vent, so I wasn't surprised when that happened. I had a lap procedure so I know it was much easier on me than the open surgery. But, do your incentive spirometry before surgery, exercise to strengthen your abdominal muscles, don't smoke (if you do) prior to surgery, and work work work on your breathing and moving after surgery. <br> I was scared, but I knew that if I did not do something to get rid of some of this weight and make my health better, I didn't much care if I lived for a long time anyway. In the end, I weighed the pros and the cons, and decided surgery was my best option. <br> Even if you have problems, you will be right there with excellent medical and nursing staff to intervene immediately. No better place to have an exacerbation, right! Good luck, I'll keep you in my prayers. Linda
   — Linda S.