How long were you on oxygen after lung volume reduction surgery?

[Smoki]

A good friend of mine had LVRS a couple of months ago and although he is recovering, he is fed up with being tied to an oxygen tank 24/7. We cannot find any anecdotal evidence of how long other people who have had LVRS were on oxygen, so I thought I would ask here. Can anyone please help? Thanks.

[Laura296]

I had LVRS at Brompton in may 2015, and will say recovery was long and I needed oxygen for 2 years.Last November my oxy levels shot up and pleased to say I am oxy free!

[football55 in reply to Laura296]

Hi Laura2996

I'm the friend mentioned in smoki's post.

Thanks for your comment which was helpful. Although your recovery was much longer than I was hoping for, at least you are now breathing without additional oxygen, which is fantastic!

I hope you don't mind me asking, but how old are you? I'm 62 and I'm wondering if I would be likely to achieve a similar outcome.

Cheers

[Laura296 in reply to football55]

Hi,I am now 60,and despite having a lot of other ailments.I will be honest it took at least 18 mths for a full recovery,but will say I was feeling better and better as the mths went on..I had a few set backs due to chest infections,but exercise is the key.

I have Emphysema now on the other lung,but as long as I can walk and don't use a stick or wheelchair I thank my lucky stars..

I am now pushing myself in rehab,and tend my garden most days.You too will feel the benefits I am pretty sure! Good diet ,exercise and positivity...

My recovery was quite long due to other illness,but my oxy levels came up after 6 mths,and continued to rise thereafter.I am happy with 96,and was really surprised as you can imagine..

Good luck and hopefully you will be buying those walking shoes pretty soon...

[football55 in reply to Laura296]

Many thanks for your reply.

Apart from Emphysema (I have less than 40% total lung capacity) I'm relatively fit and have no other ailments so your post has given me lots of optimism. I'll just have to be more patient!

I'm so glad that the LVR surgery has been a relative success for you and that you are now reaping the benefits. Long may that continue!

[Laura296 in reply to football55]

Hi again, before the op my lung capacity was 23%.I am now well enough to do most things.I was on oxy a while,but to be honest I could have given it up sooner, but I was afraid lol..

To be honest the steroids have ruined my health,but also kept me going.You will reap the benefits I can assure you , as long as there are no ciggies in the picture..

Be patient ,take things slow and things will improve a lot.I now thank my blessings and look forward to waking up in the morning..

I know given time,you will feel the same..Keep smiling and any questions please feel free to ask ..

Good luck..

[football55 in reply to Laura296]

I gave up smoking about 10 years ago, so no problems there.

Your posts have really helped and have made me far more positive than I was before, and co-incidentally (or maybe not!), I have noticed a fairly significant improvement over the past few days.

Many thanks once again and may God bless you.

[Laura296 in reply to football55]

Wonderful news..I too felt a slight improvement a week after op, and hopefully you will just keep improving like I have.I took it slow and gradually I found myself doing more and more.I still get breathless and this hot weather don't help, but I wont give up.I have had a lot of visits to Resus due to progressive Emphysema,but I have the pulmonary nurses,specialist and my Dr looking out for me! They all say I am amazing to be so "upbeat" about things.This is what you must do,always be positive.Before my op I suffered with depression and anxiety as I felt so ill, and one of my friends on here died as I was improving which knocked me back a bit..I have Emphysema,Asthma,Polymyalgia,Diverticulitus,Reflux,Spondilitus(excuse the spelling),thin skin,and Osteoporosis.(Well the start of)and take 28 drugs a day.I have just found out I have 52 small gallstones to add to my ailments lol.I am still vertical and thank my lucky stars.When I go out people can't believe I am so ill and tell me I look so WELL! I expect you will get the same remarks....I hope so...

The one thing I noticed after my op, that my skin turned from grey to pink.Good luck and take care and stay positive..I am so glad you are feeling there has been some improvement..

[football55 in reply to Laura296]

Wow! I don't know how you cope with so many conditions. You poor thing: Emphysema is more than enough for me!

If you can stay positive with all that you have going on, it should be a piece of cake for me, so from now on - onwards and upwards!

Thanks again

[Laura296 in reply to football55]

Baby steps and you will get there..Just do what your body tells you..Its not a bad thing to get slightly out of breath, as it exercises the lung muscle.I think I am lucky that my heart is strong.I did get tackycardia for a while, but it was from all the drugs I am taking..Lorazapan and a drop of oramorph helps lol.

As you say, Onwards and upwards.Take things slow and I promise you will feel a new man...God Bless..

Laura.

[Hacienda]

I recently had valves inserted to my right Lung, Brilliant, after a couple of weeks they seem to have injected a new life into me, I was on Oxygen and still am although I can do so much more without the 02, But last week my Consultant said 16 hours back on 02, Now I have to Find the hours as I seem to be doing more since I'm no longer SOB Thanks to the NHS. I sleep with it, so 6/7 hours at the most, during the day I have Mobile bag Size. Yes, I had to slow Down, it was wonderful after being on Oxygen 24/7 , But it wasn't a Cure, so I must do what my Consultant tells me. Take things Slowly. Good Luck, Be Happy, Be Positive. xxx

[football55 in reply to Hacienda]

Sorry to hear that. I hope that this is only temporary set-back and that your recovery will pick up again soon.

Thanks for your encouragement: It seems that staying positive is the key for all of us, irrespective of our various conditions.