I have had breast cancer surgery and hernia, I am on oxygen 24/7 and did not have a problem at all.

Butch, my pulmonologist said I was a high risk for complications with general anesthesia for lung collapse or death but recommended I do the surgery anyway. The surgeon said the exact same thing after I had questioned them both at length. I had to schedule a surgery before I got to talk with an anesthesiologist during a pre-op consult. He said there is always a risk for anyone. He said there was a very low risk of complications for me and I shouldn't even think about it, so I had the surgery and no problems. I think professionals should answer your questions more responsibly and if they don't have enough knowledge of anesthesia or any other field, refer you to one who does instead of making an exaggerated (or cover your behind) statement that could cause you to make a wrong decision. If general anesthesia is a main concern for copd patients to consider for surgery, then obviously, you should be directed to talk with an anesthesiologist before making a decision. The only reason I got to speak with one after pre-op was because I requested to. I waited 40 minutes for him to finish up with a surgery. Before making life or death decisions, I want to have discussions with people who know what they're talkin about. The lung doctor and the surgeon both had me thinkin maybe I should put the surgery off even when I was ready a year ago and felt fine. Two minutes into a 10 minute discussion with the anesthesiologist and I was able to make a clear, rational decision. I wouldn't advise you to go against your doctors judgement and I'm certainly not saying he is wrong.but everyone is entitled to a second professional opinion. Local anesthesia and spinal blocks are options for some. I hope you get your problem taken care of if you haven't already.

@Bickenstein; In preparation for gall bladder surgery in 2014 whicn I didn't have after all, the probable gastroenterologist requested a PFT be done by my pulmonologist. My test said my so2 was 31%, so surgery was probably not a risk as far as coming out of the anesthesia went. Your pulmonologist should know to do a PFT before anyone makes the decision. If your need for surgery outweighs other issues, that is between you and them. My feeling is that copd in itself many not be curable, but it is manageable and one can live a long life with it. Mental attitude goes a long way.

I had surgery 3 years ago and ended up on life support, it took them 6 months to find out I had sleep acnea, since then I have had 2 more surgeries and had no problem as I told them of my past episode then found out I have copd tell the necessary people your problems so they can be prepared for any problems should they happen breath easy and good luck

Well I'm back from pre-op. Thanks for the responses y'all. The pre-op nurse couldn't answer my questions so I waited for an anesthesiologist named Dr. Marx who has a heavy British accent. He said there was a very low risk for this simple surgery but called the surgeon and had him consent to a spinal instead. He said that either way there would be no problem to consider. He also said that there was no long term side effects to anesthesia. BTW anesthesia for colonoscopies is milder than what is used to put you under for surgeries of this type where your breathing is stopped. His response to my pulmonologist stating I was a moderate to high risk subject was that the guys scale was different than his. He said that a doctor might consider you a high risk for surgery if you cut your toe. I guess I'll go with the Englishman. Mad dogs and Englishmen.