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Bullectomy or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery?

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Lee__R

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09/17/2018 at 11:08 PM

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Lee__R

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Hello members,

Bullectomy and Lung Volume Reduction Surgery are surgeries that may beneficial for those with COPD.

;It may be beneficial for those that have had either of these surgeries to discuss the pros and cons and more in depth how the surgery has affected their condition. Also, this may help others who are looking into having either of these surgeries, as well.

For Lung Volume Reduction Surgery, the goal of the surgery is to remove the area of the lung most affected by disease, allowing the remaining lung to function more efficiently, and improve your breathing ability and quality of life.

For Bullectomy, the goal of surgery is to remove bullae from the lungs, which improve the patient's ability to absorb oxygen by allowing the healthier parts of the lungs to start working more effeciently.

Have you had any of these surgeries? What were your results? Has your condition improved since the surgery?

Are you considering any of these surgeries? What is your condition like currently?

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Timeless

09/24/2018 at 6:41 PM

Timeless

Last activity on 03/01/2025 at 6:39 AM

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Hi, I would love to have this done, but i guess it's up to the Dr. Where are these surgeries performed ? I live in the Syracuse area.

Thanks

Bullectomy or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery? https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/your-opinion-on-copd-treatments/bullectomy-or-lung-volume-reduction-surgery-466 2018-09-24 18:41:52

copd_healing

10/09/2018 at 5:05 AM

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copd_healing

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@Timeless‍ your best bet is to look for thoracic surgeons in your area. Have you seen a thoracic surgeon?

Bullectomy or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery? https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/your-opinion-on-copd-treatments/bullectomy-or-lung-volume-reduction-surgery-466 2018-10-09 05:05:34

Timeless

10/09/2018 at 3:25 PM

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Hello,

No. What exactly do they do?

Bullectomy or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery? https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/your-opinion-on-copd-treatments/bullectomy-or-lung-volume-reduction-surgery-466 2018-10-09 15:25:07

Lee__R

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10/17/2018 at 4:41 PM

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Lee__R

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@Timeless the surgery recommended will depend on your progression of COPD and the doctor's clinical judgment. There is also a new innovative surgery that is very minimal but showing great results. You can read more about it here in the Health Magazine. It is called Zephyr Endobronchial Valve (Zephyr EBV)

Bullectomy or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery? https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/your-opinion-on-copd-treatments/bullectomy-or-lung-volume-reduction-surgery-466 2018-10-17 16:41:53

emphman

12/19/2018 at 4:23 AM

emphman

Last activity on 07/21/2019 at 4:33 AM

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Does anyone have any information concerning the lung volume reduction surgery? Has anyone had it? I just found out I was diagnosed with COPD and was told about this operation by my doctor. I am scare and down. It involves putting coils in it also right?

Bullectomy or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery? https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/your-opinion-on-copd-treatments/bullectomy-or-lung-volume-reduction-surgery-466 2018-12-19 04:23:33

Lee__R

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01/29/2019 at 4:30 AM

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Lee__R

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Hello @emphman‍ you are correct ... LVRS is a surgical procedure in which sections of severely damaged lung tissue are removed and where doctors insert special flexible scopes through the patient’s mouth to place metal coils into the damaged tissue of the patient’s lung. The coils return elasticity to the diseased tissue, allowing the lungs to work in a more normal way. see more here https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tiny-coils-help-copd-patients-to-breathe-easier/

Do any other members have an opinions or experience?

@Bevsfolly1‍ @mamawbruce‍ @BobPreston‍ @tmac1830‍ @trdriver1‍ @maryrogers‍ @RickSr‍ @Barbeesu‍ @fosterl65‍ @Techchick‍ @giggles‍ @Marylou‍ @byumimi‍ @Heavenbound813‍ @samiam1954‍ @shertate1203‍ @sailor59‍ @Bearsmom‍ @cr90931!‍ @bpitts_01‍ @jimchristian‍

Bullectomy or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery? https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/your-opinion-on-copd-treatments/bullectomy-or-lung-volume-reduction-surgery-466 2019-01-29 04:30:59

Timeless

01/29/2019 at 5:58 PM

Timeless

Last activity on 03/01/2025 at 6:39 AM

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Do we know what hospitals are using this procedure besides Temple in Philadelphia PA.?

Bullectomy or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery? https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/your-opinion-on-copd-treatments/bullectomy-or-lung-volume-reduction-surgery-466 2019-01-29 17:58:06

Timeless

01/29/2019 at 6:00 PM

Timeless

Last activity on 03/01/2025 at 6:39 AM

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How many Thoracic Surgeons have they trained to date? Very interested

Bullectomy or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery? https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/your-opinion-on-copd-treatments/bullectomy-or-lung-volume-reduction-surgery-466 2019-01-29 18:00:35

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cbholder3

12/02/2022 at 3:21 PM

@Thakera Yes, even on Medicare it was $400+ a month. My Pulmonologist arranged for me to get it with no copay from GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, you can look up their assistance program at https://www.gskforyou.com/ Hope it goes okay for you, I am just in the process fo renewing mine for next year.

GSKForYou | GSK Patient Assistance Program

Learn how our program can assist you if you need help paying for your GlaxoSmithKline prescription medicines and vaccines, whether you have coverage or not.

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CarolSchmidt

12/21/2020 at 10:35 PM

@KathyA‍, please read what I wrote above on using oxygen. I am so, so, thrilled to have portable oxygen that gave me more of my life back. I was told in 2011 when I lived in San Miguel de Allende at 6,400 ft altitude that I needed to go on oxygen, but all I saw around town was one woman with the heavy metal canisters in a cart behind her, and that looked terrible. I moved back to near sea level and put off needing oxygen all day for another seven years, just a Bipap at night.

Finally I was huffing and having to stop every few feet even near sea level, but I still didn't want to be lugging a heavy canister behind me. I ran into an old friend who was always really active, ballroom dancing, hiking, fly fishing in rivers. And there she was with an Inogen in a backpack, doing everything she'd always done!

She showed me all about hers and the total package with machine, extra 8-hour battery, two battery chargers for house and car, carrying case, and extended warranty, was around $3,300!

Finally I saved enough for it and have loved it every minute since. I started on 2 for almost a year but had to go to 3 for every day. I switch to 4 liters a minute several times a day when I still get winded bad, and have gone up to 5 for stair climbing. I worry that I will need to go higher than 5 eventually, but I hope by then there will be sronger machines developed that go higher, though then the $500 batteries only last a few hours before needing recharging, instead of 6-8.

The portable ones now are breath-operated--you have to be breathing into the nose cannula for them to work. And my BiPap at night requires continuous flow, which the big oxygen machine Medicare covers provides, so I need both machines. Some day they may all be continuous flow and still portable.

There are cheaper, refurbished units available from the Inogen factory, too. After 1 1/2 years mine started sending strange messages and I called the factory and they sent a new one out the next day! I sent them the old one back no charge. So I am pleased with service, too.

Hope this helps you accept your machine. I am so, so happy I got mine and wish Medicare paid for everyone who needed one.(I understand in a few cases they will pay for one now, but not my particular Cigna Medicare Advantage plan.)

I bet when you go to your reunion you won't be the only one on oxygen! And everyone will be so old! The ones who are already dead and not there are the ones to think about--how many of them had COPD? Fourth leading cause of death in the US before Covid, so now we're fifth. Be glad for all the help you can get! I hope you have a wonderful reunion!

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cbholder3

12/02/2022 at 3:21 PM

GSKForYou | GSK Patient Assistance Program

Learn how our program can assist you if you need help paying for your GlaxoSmithKline prescription medicines and vaccines, whether you have coverage or not.

See the best comment

CarolSchmidt

12/21/2020 at 10:35 PM

See the best comment

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Bullectomy or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery?

Bullectomy and Lung Volume Reduction Surgery are surgeries that may beneficial for those with COPD.

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