Hi. I just heard about an alternative to Lung Reduction Surgery- it’s called the Zephyr Valve. It’s minimally invasive and they put a one way valve on the bad parts of your lung. Google it for more information

In 2006 I was diagnosed end stage COPD my lung function was at 25% PFT. I was offered lung transplant if I could reduce my BMI to < 29.0, refrain from all nicotine for 6 mos., and have an adrenal mass removed (spotted 2 years prior at 4cm.). After many tests and no change in size of adrenal mass the only surgeon willing to take the risk of removing it turned out to be less than suitable personally. After speaking to doctors and nearing the cut off age of 65 even though possible exemptions existed I chose to focus on quality of life rather than extending it. Not everyone is this same when it comes Lung Transplants and reduction was not a consideration because not much would be gained. So here I am today living with my disease on Oxygen @ 3L. 24/7 taking medications to help and a PFT of 15-17% I manage, sure I get tired and have to take naps which my cats help me with (they're always napping) but I go shopping Drive everywhere go to AA meetings 3 times a week at 70 y.o. it don't get better than this. Stay positive, decide with as much good information as you can. Breathe easy and God bless.

LVRS Oct 2017. Removed 70 % of top left lobe and 50% of top right. Had mine done at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Fl. Was on 4 liters 24/7. No longer on O2. Have even danced a little

I had LVRS July of 2017, I am 63 and was 62 at the time, I had 21% capacity. You have to have prominent upper lung COPD, If you were a smoker, that probably the case. You have to be fit and walk a 6 mile walk, you can use oxygen. You have to go through Pulmonary rehab and I think you have to be younger than 72. to qualify. I am happy that I have it, though my capacity only went up 10%. I can do so much more now and have more energy. Even if you can't have the surgery, Pulmonary rehab helps. When I started Pulmonary rehab, it was in Sept of 2016. Then I went in January of 2017. I haven't been in the hospital since Pulm rehab or surgery. Before I was in 2-3 times a year. I had it done at the U of M in Michigan. I was in the hospital a week. The surgery is rough but not as bad as I thought it would be. I had 2 incision on each side, they did the surgery microscopy. I had 4 tubes on each side and they all came out before I left the hospital. I was on oxygen for about 5 weeks afterwards. Don't sit around, get up and moving and you'll get off soon. I sat around too much the first two weeks. Good Luck and hope this helps anyone considering the surgery

I had lung reduction 10 months ago taken half my right lung . I do still get tired , however I feel like a new person . I can actually do things now . .What a difference , thanks to my beautiful surgeon Dr Gooi at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne Victoria Australia