16 days post left lung reduction surgery. I'm told it may be some time before I feel the benefit, but trying to get myself fit. Just hoping someone here can help.
I'm doing a 30 - 40 min dog walk Daily, and apart from pottering around the house, that's about it for now. Just so tired. Is this normal? Am I doing enough? No longer needing pain killers, sats 96-98% so that's great, maybe I just need more patience?
Why not ask the physio in your hospital for a copy of suitable exercises you could do. You are already trying your best to help yourself be prepared for the operation. I know they gzve me photocopies of appropriate exercises for other reasons. Or contact your respiritory nurse and explain what you are trying to do. She/ should advise you. Good luck. Chrys
Sounds to me like you are doing fine. Only 16 days after major surgery? Bye ‘eck!
Exactly what I was thinking!
Ha! Yeah. I think I need to call my respiratory nurse, dont I??? 🤣🤣🤣. Maybe my expectations exceed my ability at the mo.....
I think tiredness is our body telling us that after trauma, surgery or illness it needs us to relax so it can heal. Hopefully your Respiratory Nurse will reassure you that you are doing really well. x
I think you are doing amazingly well Wheezylady considering it is only 16 days post op and yes i think you are being a little bit impatient,many folks so soon after LVRS would still be propped up in the armchair feeling a bit sorry for themselves but here you are doing 30-40 min walks and with sats to admire and no pain killers you get my star of the day award.
Onwards and upwards but not too quickly please,we can't keep up.
Best wishes Ski's and Scruff's x
Haha! Thankyou! Patience has never been a strong point of mine. 🤣🤣.
That’s why we are called patients we need patience. Good luck Wheezylady. 😘xx
You're doing very well. You've had a major operation, and it can take two weeks for the body to get over the shock of such an injury. Be kind to yourself and continue your gentle activities. All the best for a speedy recovery.
Marvelous Post, Your doing so well, After Major Surgery, it takes time for your Body to Settle, so Tiredness is Normal. I envy you, Wish I could have had LVR . All The Best for the Future, Walks, Exercise, & A Good and Breathe Easy Life. Love & Gentle Hugs C. XXXX
You are doing fantastic 16 days post op . I'm a fighter but even I couldn't manage that at 16 days post op . Your sats are fantastic and I think you should carry on as you are , to me you are doing incredibly well as I couldn't do what you are doing till about 4 weeks post op . Well done . Best regards Babsxxxx
Pat yourself on the back Wheezylady, you are doing so well, just keep doing what you are doing and you will feel the benefits I am sure. I can relate to the impatience you feel but dont overdo things, your bidy needs time to get better x
Surely they gave you rehab/physio advice at the hospital?
Not really. I will be going to pulmonary rehab again. Just waiting for a date, but there was no real guidance for that time in between. Physio just said that by 3-4 weeks, I should be walking 20 mins a day. Will give my respiratory nurse a call tomorrow though. X
I would assume you are so tired as you are over doing things,If the physiotherapist says you should be walking for 20 mins a day doubling that when you are dog walking is maybe not such a good idea so soon.You have sats that many on here dream of having.You must be truly blessed to be painfree after weeks rather than months and you are so lucky to be feeling the benefits so quickly.Please be kind to yourself and don't push yourself too hard and risk a relapse. xx
Yes. Not feeling so great today. Overdoing it I think. Will ring nurse tomorrow. My sats have never really been an issue. I am aware there are many people on here who would love to have my sats, but sadly the numbers don't always go hand in hand with the symptoms.
You are right sats v breathlessness.. that is a complicated conundrum !! Some have low sats and no breathlessness and some the opposite.
Have a well earned rest and treat yourself to some afternoon naps xx
Sounds as if you're doing great so soon after your op. Do you mind me asking what your SATs were before your op? All best wishes for your continuing recovery going forward.
My sats were never very low pre- OP. Prob around 92-94.
Thank you.
How long could you walk before the surgery and what were yours sats? I have no experience with LVRS but as others have said you had major surgery so the body definitely will take some time to get over the trauma. I pray you continue to improve.
Difficult to compare pre and post op. My emphysema was moderate. I could always walk my dog, but became breathless very quickly and would have to stop.
Right now I think it's too early to judge, as I'm not really feeling the benefits of the surgery yet. Surgeon told me it can take a few months to actually feel the improvement, but he does predict a good outcome for me. Surgery was textbook (his words), so I guess I need to learn a bit of patience... x
You mention you are walking 30-40 minutes now, we’re you able to do that before the surgery? I know almost nothing about LVRS but thought it was for people who were severe so am surprised you would have the surgery when moderate, but as I say, I know very little about it so perhaps is not unusual at all.
Ok. So LVRS is not dependent on the severity of the disease as such. This is how it was explained to me anyway. It's more about how widespread the disease is. My particular disease is confined mainly to the upper lobes of both lungs. This diseased area is stopping the air from getting to the lower, better functioning areas of the lungs. So by removing the upper, diseased areas, the healthier parts of the lungs can then start to function better. There are only a very small number of people with COPD who are suitable for this surgery. I feel very lucky and privileged that I'm one of them. Of course I feel huge sympathy - and sometimes a bit guilty - that there are people out there with crippling COPD, but sadly, that's the reality.
I could always walk 30 to 40 mins before surgery. But not without stopping, getting breathless or coughing like an old train. I could only climb one flight of stairs at home and dreaded hills! I'm still kinda the same now, but hoping that an improvement will gradually come. 😊😊😊
Thanks so much for the explanation and what you say definitely makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to give the details you did and hope you see the improvements you and your doctors are expecting. Let us know how things go.
Sounds like you’re doing great 🐞
Dear Wheezylady ,
Do NOT rush recovery. When you feel tired don't push yourself. Be kind to and patient with yourself. It pays off slowly. Take good care and congratulations on having the chance to breathe better. xx 😊👋
Thankyou. Have given myself a talking to! 😁. Fortunately I have a very patient and supportive husband here. X
That's half the battle already won! xx
Don't push it Wheezy,you are still at risk of complications such as air leaks in the initial recovery stages,and bilateral stapling and sealant are probably all that is preventing that at the moment until you heal completely and perhaps over exercising would aggravate things,also your diaphragm needs time to relax and to a certain extent accommodate itself to a new existence where over inflated lungs are no longer forcing down on it and only then will your new lungs start to feel the benefits of all that nasty trapped air being released and gain the desired results of better exercise capability and more efficient breathing.
Take your time,in the future it will be time of a far greater quality. 
Awww, thanks so much. That's really good advice. Yes, I have decided I'm pushing it a bit. Really dont want air leaks at this stage. Thankyou. X
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