Preparing for Surgery Looks Different with COPD

My surgery history has taught me how to prepare, especially living with a chronic illness like COPD. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years.

I’ve had many major surgeries over the past decade. Each one has had its challenges, but one thing they all have in common is their effect on my COPD.

My most recent experience was especially challenging. I fell while getting out of my wheelchair as I was organizing for my upcoming ankle reconstruction. I landed on my arm and broke my humerus in two places by the shoulder.

Because of my broken bone, I wasn’t able to prepare as well as I had for previous surgeries, and it reflected in my breathing issues.

Join the free COPD community!

Connect with thousands of members and find support through daily live chats, curated resources, and one-to-one messaging.

Sign up

Know what to expect

The most important thing you can do for your postoperative self is to know what to expect. Ask your doctor how long your recovery will take and whether you need help at home.

I had a leg in a cast up to my knee and an arm in a sling, so it was pretty clear I wasn’t doing much on my own. I may not have been aware I’d deal with the latter, but I did know what to expect from the ankle surgery. The main thing was that I could not put my foot on the ground for 6 weeks.

The other thing you want to ask the doctor is how long you will be under anesthesia. The longer the surgery is, the more likely it will affect your COPD.

This doesn’t necessarily mean your lungs can’t handle it. It’s just a reason to discuss this surgery with your pulmonologist to find out what you can do to make it easier on your respiratory system.

Get your body ready

The more your body is prepared, the better the recovery. Start as soon as you have a surgery date and keep going until you head to the hospital with as much daily exercise of your body (and lungs) as possible.

You’ll also want to keep your diet as healthy as possible before surgery. It’s not the time to go out for a couple of drinks or a rich meal. You want to have your weight within a moderate range for you. This doesn’t mean you should go on a drastic diet. Discuss with your primary doctor how to manage your weight before the procedure.

We all know how dangerous smoking is to COPD. If you still smoke, consider quitting when you have an upcoming surgery. Doing so will make recovery a lot better.

Planning is the key

Make that appointment with your pulmonologist to see if there’s anything in particular you need to do. Mine puts in an order for me to have nebulizer treatments before and after the operation. He also has someone from respiratory therapy visit me in the hospital after surgery.

Are you staying in the hospital? You can discuss this with your surgeon and your pulmonologist. I have oxygen drops after anesthesia, so I always stay for any surgery lasting an hour or more. It’s especially a good idea if you don’t have the help you need at home.

Finding the help for your recovery, medical equipment you may need (a commode, for example, could be very handy if your surgery keeps you from walking to the bathroom), transportation, and even meals can be easier than you think.

The key is to speak with the hospital social worker. You never know what’s available until you ask.

I was able to get 35 hours a week of aides, medical equipment, at-home physical and occupational therapy, and 2 weeks of meals covered.

Pain medication can affect your breathing

Anesthesia is not the only thing that lowers your oxygen levels. The pain medication you receive can also affect your breathing. You may be taking it for a while for many procedures, so your lungs are fighting two things that can worsen your COPD.

I learned quickly that a humerus fracture is one of the most painful there is. I couldn’t possibly do without strong pain medication those first few weeks. It was one of the reasons they kept me in the hospital for 8 days. Even though I don’t usually need oxygen, for most of that time, I was on it around the clock.

If you don’t have oxygen at home, ask about it if you’ll be taking opioids. If you have oxygen at home, discuss with your pulmonologist whether you need to increase the oxygen level.

Improve your recovery

Surgery takes a huge toll on your body, especially when you have COPD. While it’s healing, you need to increase your nutrition. Protein is the most important for healing, and it’s something I have a problem with since I’m not a big meat eater.

After surgeries, I’m often not hungry. I have plenty of protein shakes around to fill in the gaps until I’m ready to eat more. Then, I still try to drink at least one protein shake a day between meals.

Rest is the other important thing after surgery. Your body is in recovery mode, and you’re still tired from the anesthesia. Take a nap when you need it, and get a good night’s sleep. Leave errands for someone else or until you are in better shape. Catch up on television shows you like or stream a fun movie.

Where I am now

While the bone in my shoulder is healing slowly on its own, I have nerve problems in my arm and elbow as well as a damaged tendon in my wrist from the fall. I’ll need another surgery soon.

Even though I’m not getting out of my wheelchair right now, I’ve been keeping up with daily exercises for my breathing and my body from the chair and bed.

I have an appointment with my pulmonologist before this surgery to make sure my lungs are stable. I’m going to be safer and more prepared this time.