Lung reduction surgery
Has anyone had lung reduction surgery , if so , describe any benefits . Or perhaps problems after the surgery . They want to remove the top half of both of my lungs . Don't know much about it , looking for any info !
, i'm confident other members of our community will chime in if they have an experience to share but in the meantime here is an article you may find helpful! https://copd.net/treatment/surgery-overview/lung-volume-reduction All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, team member). Thanks Sam
Hi Tom, and thanks for your post. As my colleague, , has said, I'm hopeful others in the community, who have had this procedure, will see your inquiry and share their own anecdotal experiences here.
I, too, have something to contribute. During all the years taking care of patients, I have cared for and worked with many who have undergone this procedure - lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). Some have done quite well while, still others have had less than expected improvement but, improvement just the same. From my own professional perspective, the important aspect of being considered for this procedure is the pulmonologist and the surgeon collaborate with the patient. Together, everyone will understand why someone is or, is not a good candidate for the surgery. The expected outcomes should be discussed as well as the prognosis moving forward.
Are you being considered for this procedure, Tom? I think if you start out by reading the article for which Samantha has provided a link, you will have a better understanding of what this procedure is all about.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)Yes Leon I have been selected but told I wasn't strong enough to make it thru the surgery . Having no luck in trying to gain strength .everything is so hard , even just getting to and from the bathroom . One of my biggest concerns is I believe that all of my lungs are very bad , but I think that the bottoms are worse than the top . Don't have much lung volume now and not feeling comfortable with loosing half of what I got ! My 1 second exhale is only 10 percent , and a good number is 80 percent .
I hear you, Tom, and understand your situation. I am sorry that you were selected only to find out that you were not a candidate based on your present lung function and capacity. My heart goes out to you!
Please know you are always welcome here in our online community. If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let me or any other moderator / team member know.
Enjoy the weekend!
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Anyone on site actually had op. Going for it next year. Need advice on pain involved, recovery time etc. thank you.
Hi
, and thanks for joining in the conversation here. Since the inception of this forum topic (7/7/22), I do not recall anyone posting their experience with lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). However, in a brief search of our COPD.net community website, I did find some material published much earlier (than 2022), in which community members shared their experiences here.
First, this information from our own(4/30/19), in which he shares his experience: https://copd.net/living/lung-volume-reduction-experience.
Next, this material from(2/27/27), in which he relates his own experience, Please make certain to look at the comments at the end of the material (there are 7 of them, all pertinent).
And finally, this information, from bunnymusic60 (6/19/17). which focuses on her experience. Please note there are 4 comments at the end of her story, too.
I do hope this brief response is helpful for you as you continue on your journey to have this procedure done for yourself. Please do check back and keep us apprised of your progress.
Wishing you well,
Leon L (author/moderator)
