Glenstar, I have not had surgery, and like you I am at the severe level of COPD. My Pulmonary doctor have serious reservations about putting me (or having me) put under for surgery. I would strongly suggest you get clearance from your pulmonary doctor before you proceed with any surgery that requires you to be put under.

Regards, Bill

I had abdominal surgery June 27th and also have COPD. I was like you, nervous and scared right up to the time of surgery, but as you can see, I am here now to tell the tale. Was it more difficult than if I had no breathing issues? Well, the honest answer is yes and it carries greater risks, but it turned out fine and I'm now glad I did it.

It is important to get a clearance from your pulmonologist. If done, I'd strongly suggest is have a good talk with your anesthesiologist.

As important as the surgeon is, the anesthesiologist may be twice as important as he/she will be the one monitoring your breathing, heart, etc. Don't forget to tell him/her if you have sleep apnea (that's really important), or any other breathing issues, such as an asthma component to your COPD. All this will affect the type of anesthesia you will receive and the pain medication following the surgery, for certain medications/anesthesia depress the respiratory drive.

Best good luck to you! Hope you'll keep us informed!

Hi glenstar. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and need to have surgery. I have severe emphysema and my pulmonologist wants my lung function to be better than it is so he prescribed Spiriva and pulmonary rehab. Hopefully things will improve enough before too long so I can have my surgery. But I would definitely say to consult a/your pulmonologist about it. And, yes, I'm a bit nervous about having surgery but am more of a "what will be, will be" sort of person. I guess if or when God decides to take me, He's going to take me whether it's during surgery or while I'm jumping rope or riding an alligator.

Glenstar, I had my gallbladder removed in February of 2011 with severe copd. I did tell the anesthesiologist and the surgeon was well aware of it. I agree with the others about getting clearance from your pulmonologist. Best wishes to you.
Moe

Thanks, everyone. I will tread very carefully, and weigh what my lung dr says, as you all suggest. I will keep everyone informed.

Glenstar I have moderate/severe COPD, I'm on oxygen at night and as needed the rest of the time. 3 1/2 years ago they found lung cancer and took the top right lobe, 1 year ago I had neck surgery, disk fussion c5-c7. I came through both procedures without any undue problems. Prior to both surgeries I was cleared by my pulmanary and heart doctors, besides these extra doctor visits all went well. Radar1974

glenstar like several others here I had heart surgery in Nov 2011. I was scared to death not knowing if my lungs would carry me through a 6 hr surgery. My copd is bad with a 19%.
I to am on 02 24/7.
Talk to your Doctor and then make your decision. Make sure you also discuss this with your lung doc and do express your fears.
I wish you the best.

I want to add to what jazzy said about talking to the anthesiologist.
This is very important as she stated. He is the one who will monitor your breathng. I had a very good one and he was by my side the whole time as he promised.

Hello Glen, I have C.O.P.D. too but I'm blessed that I'm only on 2oxygen 24/7.I have never had a operation since I've found out I have COPD.Actually , I've never had an operation.I'm a Christian Glen and I do most definitely believe in prayer.I was on a life support machine once because of pneumonia and the Dr. told my best friend and my pastor that I wasn't going to make it.My pastor told him"We'll pray about it"Well here I am.I hope you're not offend but, I feel I have to pray for you.Jesus can give you peace.God's peace is that no matter what ,If we believe that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins,was risen from the grave,was seen by many people after he was Crucified and died.and He now sits at the right hand of God the Father, mediating for us His blood covered our sins and no matter what,We're going to be all right.
Your brother in Christ,
Rob

Thanks, everyone. My meeting is tomorrow with the surgeon. My primary doc told me to relax because it is just a consultation at this point. . I did talk over the risks with her, and she told me to tell the surgeon all of my concerns. She also told me that they wil not operate if they feel that it cannot be done safely, so we shall see.
Thanks again for all of the support. it means a lot.

Good news. Saw the surgeon today, and he said no surgery is needed at this time unless it gets worse. I was very happy.

That's very good news, glenstar. I'm happy for you!

Wonderful news.....Take care of your self

BJ

I totaly agree that our pulmonary doctor should be the first one to give the go ahead. An anethesiologist is a very well trained medical doctor dealing with putting people to sleep and waking them up safely. I would imagine that they are very well trained with COPD folks. I would certainly want to have a heart to heart chat with him/her as well as the surgeon.

Care of the Surgical Patient

The anesthesiologist is the perioperative physician (peri- meaning all-around) who provides medical care to each patient throughout his or her surgical experience. This includes medically evaluating the patient before surgery (preoperative), consulting with the surgical team, providing pain control and supporting life functions during surgery (intraoperative), supervising care after surgery (postoperative) and discharging the patient from the recovery unit.
Note: They normally have 4 years of training in this field after medical school.

@glenstar, I am pleased that surgery was not necessary. I have had (abdominal) hernia repairs 3 times but it was pre COPD. The reason I am answering your topic is because the question of anesthesia is always a worry for us with compromised respiratory problems.

I am facing dental surgery. Implants to be precise and the question of anesthesia has come up with the dental doctors and my PCP about what is safe for me . I trust my PCP because he connects all of the dots from the doctors that I see and the pulmonologist may not know that I may have a complication that he isn't aware of. To be truthfully, I am beginning to find specialists to be less interested in your overall health as long as you are walking and breathing when you show up for the 10 minute talk. (Ranting now :))

In the past (with COPD) I haveConcious Sedation for procedures. This is an option that does not use an anesthesia that takes you completely out of control. They use it to insert intubation tubes, dental procedures, etc. It can be used for laparoscopic surgery along with a local anesthesia. The most current drug used is Propofol for a light sedation where the ;patient is concious and able to converse, be somewhat aware of what is going on around you but not have the anxiety. it is a quick sedation and a quick recovery.

There are older drugs that can be used but I have had the Propofol twice and no negative effects. BUT you must know who is administering it and if they are qualified. That goes for the hospital or a dental office.

Because of the steroids that we use, dental problems can be a challenge and if it comes the time that you may consider implants, I just wanted to give another option to just using local anesthesia (novacaine shots) only.

COPD and GERD go hand in hand and if you have had an endoscopic or colonoscopy exam, most likely they used Concious Sedation.

Sorry this is so long but just wanted to share an experience that may help one of you.